By Kayode Emola
The ongoing 2023 elections have proved to be a source of much distraction for many of the proponents of the Yoruba self-determination struggle. Not only have they taken people’s minds off the primacy of independence; but whilst the Yoruba side was focused on defending the front guard against the Fulani, we neglected our rear guard, allowing certain zealots to attempt a stealth infiltration.
I have many Igbo friends and acquaintances, and I know the Igbo to be industrious and hardworking people. Historically, the Igbo and Yoruba have enjoyed cordial relations; despite occasional frosty periods, they generally have managed to overcome whatever issues threaten to divide them.
However, whilst the large majority of Igbo people possess good characters, a minority of zealots risk tarnishing the reputation of the whole tribe. The discourse surrounding the 25 February presidential election results, particularly how the Labour party scored more votes in Lagos than the incumbent APC (All Progressive Congress), has emboldened the Igbo zealots to make a bid for leadership of Lagos and conquest of the state.
Make no mistake, Lagos state will forever remain Yorubaland. Remember how the British colonised Lagos in 1861, thinking they have come to own a lucrative territory in the Atlantic. Yet where is Britain today, but back in its enclave? Whereas Lagos remains the property of its original owners, the Yoruba people. The pronouncement that the Igbo need to conquer Lagos is, in itself, a vindication that Lagos is Yorubaland. You don’t conquer what already belongs to you, you simply possess it.
One thing is certain, Yoruba people are liberal people and we will not change our lifestyle because of others’ derision. We will continue to help those that need it – even when it is to our own detriment – provided the ‘live and let live’ principle applies. Lagos today, the shining star number one state in Nigeria, is Yorubaland. That members of every tribe and tongue reside there simply demonstrates the welcoming and hospitable spirit of the Yoruba people.
Electoral positions come and go; no man will be incumbent for eternity. It is foolishness to think that one can conquer Lagos by merely contesting to become Governor, a position that has but a limited term of office. However, cultural memories are far longer, and, if not checked, tribal divisions can breed inter-ethnic distrust for many generations. I implore the Igbo zealots to know that their actions and inactions may inadvertently affect the livelihoods of their kinsmen who reside in Lagos.
We, the Yoruba, do not intend to pick a fight with the Igbo nation; we have never been to war previously and we do not intend to do so now. But we must request that the Igbo zealots moderate their language and respect their host so that peace can reign. Their claims that Lagos is a “No Man’s Land” bears a concerning resemblance to the Fulani claim that Nigeria is the estate of their great grandfather “Uthman dan Fodio”.
Had the Igbo zealots shown but a little humility, the Labour candidate may well have stood a chance with the Yoruba moderates. Instead, the actions of these zealots – who want to influence the elections, despite the fact that they don’t even live in Lagos – may have now seriously jeopardised his chances.
Even if the Labour party candidate had both Yoruba mother and father, the simple fact of receiving endorsement from the Igbo zealots would make his case a precarious one. Whilst the Yoruba people are fed up with the one-man hegemonic control of Lagos, they are not so desperate for regime change that they would ask an outsider to decide who becomes the head of their family. No people want to be governed by a puppet candidate who is being manipulated to further the agendas of an ulterior group.
I want our brothers and sisters from the East to realise that our ultimate goal is to unbundle the contraption called Nigeria. The outcome of the 2023 elections means nothing to the majority of the Yoruba people, who are more concerned with exiting Nigeria in a peaceful way that protects life and property.
That a Yoruba man is the President of Nigeria does not alter our stance of calling for the dissolution of Nigeria. Nigeria was not built to work for the ordinary man and the earlier we realise this, the better it will be for everyone.
To my Yoruba people, I will not campaign for any particular candidate here. However, I will implore you all to do your own research and not be deceived by slogans. Whilst our eyes must remain primarily fixed on the ultimate goal of achieving an independent Yoruba nation, we must be responsible stewards of our land in the interim. We cannot leave it to foreigners to decide who rules the state because a lot of damage can be incurred in even a very short period of incumbency.
Our independent Yoruba nation is coming and will be established sooner rather than later. What good will it do us to win our sovereignty, only to have to go to war with the Igbo over the governorship of Lagos? The time is now for each and every one of us to stand strong and firm, to fight for freedom once and for all so that a better life can be created for the whole Yoruba people.
