130 Pan Yoruba groups have adopted the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in office. The meeting held under the auspices of Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM), the largest coalition of civil society, community-based and Pan Yoruba groups in the old Western Region including Kogi, Kwara and some parts of Delta and Edo States.
The AYDM described Oyebanji as a beacon of hope not just for Ekiti State but for the entire Yoruba Nation and Nigeria at large.
The Guest Speaker, a journalist Mr Adewale Adeoye said it was important for organisations to put themselves together for a common political and economic focus. He said he was impressed that people are organising themselves into non-informal political blocs to chat a common future. He said the South West is confronted with the structure of the Nigerian state which impedes full realisation of the People’s future. He said there are challenges of food insecurity and receding morality.
He called on the people to assert themselves. He said he was impressed by the developments in Ekiti State adding that the state represents a striking example for other states to follow.
‘He has made us proud in Yorubaland. He epitomises Omoluabi. He stands tall among his peers. His support for regional integration is remarkable. He has built milestones in education, road construction, public health, agriculture and transparency in Governance’ the group said.
Over 1000 people attended the event held in Lagos. In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the General Secretary and leaders of the participating groups, the Alliance said elections in any part of Yoruba indigenous territories is of critical importance to all residents in the old Western Region including states where Yoruba are indigenous.
As part of its decisions after the two-day conference, the AYDM set up a South West Election Working Group, (EWOG) that would begin door-to-door campaign across Ekiti State once the electoral umpire blows the whistle for the campaign.
‘We adopt the Governor of Ekiti State to strengthen a uniform political outlook of the people that in the South West. It is in the strategic interest of a people with one history, one culture and one civilisation to have a uniform political aspiration. It strengthens regional integration and sustainable development,’ the AYDM said in the statement signed by its General Secretary Popoola Ajayi on behalf of the coalition.
The AYDM said the platform has brought together the most potent socio-cultural and community-based groups across the Old Western Region to speak with one voice for a people with shared history, blood-bound relationship and common aspiration.
‘The adoption will help mobilise people who live in Ekiti and those who live outside Ekiti but register in Ekiti State to vote massively for Oyebanji in the next gubernatorial election,’ the AYDM said.
