This was just as Aregbesola said that it is not for nothing that people of the South-West (Yoruba) have always advocated for true federalism because by their nature, the Yoruba people flourish on federalism.
Chief Obasanjo came in company with delegate of Owu Development Foundation (ODF) in respect of a rift over the Orile-Owu stool.
Obasanjo said, “Ige was a national leader. Especially in the South west, his impact was highly commendable. It is a representation of the remembrance of a high calibre Yoruba personality whose efforts for the advancement of his people will always remain in the sands of time.”
Governor Aregbesola said that once the powers that be recognises in the Yoruba people a lover of federalism and freedom, they would find the Yoruba the best of people to befriend and be with.
He averred that to subdue a people who want to free would always breed chaos as Yoruba people always stopped at nothing to resist losing their freedom and autonomy.
“Yoruba thrive on federalism. What I want the country to know is the fact that as far as our autonomy and freedom are recognized, we could be the best any people could have as neighbors.
“But every effort to infringe on our freedom and autonomy would breed tragedy and disaster. For as long as people do not recognise this salient fact to the extent that we even fought ourselves to defend our autonomous existence, Yoruba can be best of people.
“We defend our rights, be it political, social or economical or cultural. This is the essence of our initiative on regional integration. And I want to believe that in the innate part of Chief Obasanjo’s mind, he supports our integration agenda.
Aregbesola also extoled the virtues of the former president, saying every Yoruba man must be proud of his (Obasanjo’s) achievements, which explains why the Government of the State of Osun accorded honour which he rightly deserved.
The governor continued: “It is not for nothing that Chief Obasanjo is a Yoruba person. As a Yoruba man, we must be proud of his achievement.
“It is in recognition of your feat as individual as a Yoruba person that we have deemed it necessary and important to accord you the respect.”
The governor noted that it was uncommon for people of President Obasanjo’s status to involve themselves in issues like this, thus the people of the state appreciate his efforts towards proffering amicable solution to the leadership tussle.
He stated that his government considers it a matter of policy to stir clear of process of obaship and other customary matters, saying it is wrong for a government to directly interfere.
He said government has abstained from interference so as for people to conduct their own affairs themselves; saying from all indications, Chief Obasanjo has not expressed any move to impose anybody on the community but to help them settle the feud peaceably.
“He is seeking an amicable resolution to the whole tussle. He has not said that the matter has been finalized. So, I don’t want us to misunderstand him. He said the issue is an unfinished matter.
“He only came to Osun to give the governor a progress report. He has not come to impose anybody on the people of Orile-Owu. He could have called and given me a candidate he wants to be enthroned and no one would question that. But he did not say that,” Aregbesola added.
Aregbesola also used the opportunity to intimate Obasanjo with some of the landmark projects of his administration giving the instance of the road project being constructed to link Osun with Lagos State through Ogun passing through Orile Owu.
Chief Obasanjo, in his remark said the kingship tussle is an unfinished matter, saying his visit was to intimate the governor of progress report on the matter.
The former President disclosed that his mission in the state is for peaceful resolution of the kingship in orile-Owu.
“I was here to visit and intimate you with the progress we have recorded over the leadership tussle in Orile-Owu. When I was called to intervene, I discovered that things were drifting and we needed to arrest the situation before it degenerates.
“I instituted a committee to look into the whole matter and the committee has finished its job. I discovered there were various allegations to be looked into and resolved. There were people who wanted to be recognized; people who are aggrieved and need to be pacified and people to be appealed to, cajoled and begged for peaceful resolution of the feud,” Obasanjo said.
Dignitaries who accompanied Obasanjo included Otunba Johnson Fasawe, Olu of Araromi, Alhaji Yeye Akinfala, Dr. Ezekiel Oyememu, Amzat Adejobi, Prince Morufu Akinfala among others.
No comments:
Post a Comment