By Doyin Okupe
The Yoruba in national politics
The Yoruba in national politics
THE Political era of the second Republic
1979-1983 saw the Yoruba playing a role which was not too different from the
one played in the first republic. The only difference was that unlike in the
first republic when the role of opposition was officially recognized in line
with the Parliamentary System of government, the Presidential system created no
specific role for the party outside government.
1979-1983 saw the Yoruba playing a role which was not too different from the
one played in the first republic. The only difference was that unlike in the
first republic when the role of opposition was officially recognized in line
with the Parliamentary System of government, the Presidential system created no
specific role for the party outside government.
Even though the Unity Party of Nigeria,
formed by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the first party to be formed after
the Military lifted the ban on party politics in 1978, the party was generally
regarded as an off shoot of the Action Group which was the main Yoruba party of
the First Republic.
formed by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the first party to be formed after
the Military lifted the ban on party politics in 1978, the party was generally
regarded as an off shoot of the Action Group which was the main Yoruba party of
the First Republic.
The
revered Awo who was the defacto leader of the Yoruba people had earlier shunned
an invitation to be part of a Constituent Assembly which provided a veritable
platform for political leaders to establish cross-cultural network of
affiliates which later resulted in the formation of other political parties
regarded as being more national in outlook.
revered Awo who was the defacto leader of the Yoruba people had earlier shunned
an invitation to be part of a Constituent Assembly which provided a veritable
platform for political leaders to establish cross-cultural network of
affiliates which later resulted in the formation of other political parties
regarded as being more national in outlook.
Chief Awolowo no doubt represented the best
of the Yoruba stock in terms of ideals, passion and commitment to building a
Nation where no component part will be subjugated. He was a frontline advocate
for equity and justice. Awo believed that resources of the state must be used
for the benefit of the greater number of people.
of the Yoruba stock in terms of ideals, passion and commitment to building a
Nation where no component part will be subjugated. He was a frontline advocate
for equity and justice. Awo believed that resources of the state must be used
for the benefit of the greater number of people.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo understood the values
of education and this informed his decision to offer free education to every
Yoruba child. This undoubtedly helped in building and maintaining the Yoruba
tradition of intellectualism that had been in existence over centuries. Yoruba
passion for acquisition of knowledge through formal education is our hallmark
and the outstanding feature which distinguishes us among other ethnic
Nationalities.
of education and this informed his decision to offer free education to every
Yoruba child. This undoubtedly helped in building and maintaining the Yoruba
tradition of intellectualism that had been in existence over centuries. Yoruba
passion for acquisition of knowledge through formal education is our hallmark
and the outstanding feature which distinguishes us among other ethnic
Nationalities.
Similarly, Obafemi Awolowo’s views of what
a truly federal and prosperous Nigeria should look like were unmistaken. He
believed in, and stoutly advocated a federal structure where each of the
constituent units will creatively use its God given resources to provide the
best opportunities for its people. The result of his visionary leadership in
the quality of infrastructure, education, health and rural integration in the
South West cannot be wished away even by his most vicious critics.
a truly federal and prosperous Nigeria should look like were unmistaken. He
believed in, and stoutly advocated a federal structure where each of the
constituent units will creatively use its God given resources to provide the
best opportunities for its people. The result of his visionary leadership in
the quality of infrastructure, education, health and rural integration in the
South West cannot be wished away even by his most vicious critics.
However, some political analysts believe
that the choice of Sir Philip Umeadi as the running mate to Chief Awolowo in
the 1979 Presidential election was a non-tactical political move which did not
take into account the age-long North-South dichotomy vis-à-vis the numerical
strength of the Northern voting population.
that the choice of Sir Philip Umeadi as the running mate to Chief Awolowo in
the 1979 Presidential election was a non-tactical political move which did not
take into account the age-long North-South dichotomy vis-à-vis the numerical
strength of the Northern voting population.
The result of the elections saw the Unity
Party of Nigeria coming a distant second to the Northern dominated National
Party of Nigeria which picked its running mate from the South; thus paving the
way for Alhaji Shehu Shagari to emerge as the First Executive President of a
Presidential system of government in Nigeria.
Party of Nigeria coming a distant second to the Northern dominated National
Party of Nigeria which picked its running mate from the South; thus paving the
way for Alhaji Shehu Shagari to emerge as the First Executive President of a
Presidential system of government in Nigeria.
By the elections of 1983 when Chief Awolowo
had a change of strategy in choosing Mallam Muhammad Kura from Bauchi state as
his running mate, the NPN had become almost a behemoth and the political
atmosphere had become so compromised that no credible elections were possible
in the circumstance.
had a change of strategy in choosing Mallam Muhammad Kura from Bauchi state as
his running mate, the NPN had become almost a behemoth and the political
atmosphere had become so compromised that no credible elections were possible
in the circumstance.
Not even the suppressed anger of the Yoruba
elements in the NPN who had felt betrayed by the renunciation of an alleged
pact by the Northern leadership to run for only one term and support the West
in 1983 could help the cause of the Yoruba aspiration represented by Chief
Awolowo. Not only was Alhaji Shagari declared winner of the disputed elections,
a few states which were hither-to controlled by Awo’s UPN (notably old Ondo and
Oyo ) were declared won by the NPN.
elements in the NPN who had felt betrayed by the renunciation of an alleged
pact by the Northern leadership to run for only one term and support the West
in 1983 could help the cause of the Yoruba aspiration represented by Chief
Awolowo. Not only was Alhaji Shagari declared winner of the disputed elections,
a few states which were hither-to controlled by Awo’s UPN (notably old Ondo and
Oyo ) were declared won by the NPN.
By the time the second Republic was
terminated by the Military junta headed by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in December,
1983, the aspiration of the Yoruba Nation as a major stakeholder in the
Nigerian Federation remained largely unfulfilled. It is the consensus of
analysts that the coup against our then nascent democracy halted the political
advancement of the Nation and inflicted a deadly blow on our political
consciousness which we never recovered from for another sixteen years. Even
today, the consequent scars of the 1983 Buhari led Military misadventure
are still very much with us and may take a lot more time to heal.
terminated by the Military junta headed by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in December,
1983, the aspiration of the Yoruba Nation as a major stakeholder in the
Nigerian Federation remained largely unfulfilled. It is the consensus of
analysts that the coup against our then nascent democracy halted the political
advancement of the Nation and inflicted a deadly blow on our political
consciousness which we never recovered from for another sixteen years. Even
today, the consequent scars of the 1983 Buhari led Military misadventure
are still very much with us and may take a lot more time to heal.
The politics of Third Republic and the Abiola factor
The period often regarded as the third
Republic in Nigeria was characterized by the Politics of the years 1989-1998.
It was a period when the Nigerian Military carried out a number of political
experimentations built around the mantra of ‘new breed’ politicians but which
in actual fact was only new in form rather than in Character.
Republic in Nigeria was characterized by the Politics of the years 1989-1998.
It was a period when the Nigerian Military carried out a number of political
experimentations built around the mantra of ‘new breed’ politicians but which
in actual fact was only new in form rather than in Character.
The Military formed two political parties,
the National Republican Convention and the Social Democratic Party to which
Nigerians were to subscribe. Even though the party had no ‘founders’ in the
sense of the political platforms of the earlier republics, there was a clear
indication that old cleavages and alliances coalesced into the parties and gave
them some degree of the old ethnic colorations. While the SDP was regarded as a
little to the left and so represented the old ‘progressive’ fold, the NRC was a
little to the right and so was the party for the conservatives.
the National Republican Convention and the Social Democratic Party to which
Nigerians were to subscribe. Even though the party had no ‘founders’ in the
sense of the political platforms of the earlier republics, there was a clear
indication that old cleavages and alliances coalesced into the parties and gave
them some degree of the old ethnic colorations. While the SDP was regarded as a
little to the left and so represented the old ‘progressive’ fold, the NRC was a
little to the right and so was the party for the conservatives.
The most interesting thing about the
politics of the Third Republic however was that it led to the forced marriage
of certain political elements who had no prior antecedent of electoral
collaborations. While this had some obvious advantages in pursuit of building
National consensus, it also had its down side in the eruption of virtually
irreconcilable differences and serious intra-party conflicts.
politics of the Third Republic however was that it led to the forced marriage
of certain political elements who had no prior antecedent of electoral
collaborations. While this had some obvious advantages in pursuit of building
National consensus, it also had its down side in the eruption of virtually
irreconcilable differences and serious intra-party conflicts.
In all these, the Yoruba Nation played a
key role in the strengthening of the political parties and driving the process
of restoring Nigeria to a democratic Nation. Most importantly, the period
marked a turning point in the exclusive politics of the South West and
eventually led to the emergence of a Yoruba man, the late Chief MKO Abiola as
the flag bearer of the SDP and eventual winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential
election which was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida administration.
key role in the strengthening of the political parties and driving the process
of restoring Nigeria to a democratic Nation. Most importantly, the period
marked a turning point in the exclusive politics of the South West and
eventually led to the emergence of a Yoruba man, the late Chief MKO Abiola as
the flag bearer of the SDP and eventual winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential
election which was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida administration.
How did Abiola succeed in breaking the
jinx? The answer is simple: He recognized the inevitability of a strong synergy
between the Political stakeholders in all the political blocks of
Nigeria. Abiola built his political aspiration on decades-long business,
religious, political, personal and philanthropic relationship which he
had built with key figures across the country.
jinx? The answer is simple: He recognized the inevitability of a strong synergy
between the Political stakeholders in all the political blocks of
Nigeria. Abiola built his political aspiration on decades-long business,
religious, political, personal and philanthropic relationship which he
had built with key figures across the country.
Unlike the previous attempt of the Yoruba
for the Presidency through the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola most
probably learnt from history that anyone who aspires to lead a country as
diverse as Nigeria must consciously seek the co-operation, acceptance and
endorsement of all major stakeholders in the Federation. This accounted for why
even in the state which produced his opponent in the election, Chief Abiola won
convincingly!
for the Presidency through the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola most
probably learnt from history that anyone who aspires to lead a country as
diverse as Nigeria must consciously seek the co-operation, acceptance and
endorsement of all major stakeholders in the Federation. This accounted for why
even in the state which produced his opponent in the election, Chief Abiola won
convincingly!
The annulment of Abiola’s victory,
his eventual incarceration and death in custody put the country in a major
political quagmire which necessitated the unprecedented national concession of
the Presidency to the South West engineered and spearheaded by Northern
political elites and supported by all other ethnic nationalities including the
Oil rich minorities. This development threw up only two Presidential candidates
Chief Olu Falae of the APP/AD and Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP. Under this
arrangement, the inevitability of a Yoruba Presidency was clear ab
initio. This of necessity placed a political debt burden which the Yoruba
Nation is bound to pay sometime in the future.
his eventual incarceration and death in custody put the country in a major
political quagmire which necessitated the unprecedented national concession of
the Presidency to the South West engineered and spearheaded by Northern
political elites and supported by all other ethnic nationalities including the
Oil rich minorities. This development threw up only two Presidential candidates
Chief Olu Falae of the APP/AD and Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP. Under this
arrangement, the inevitability of a Yoruba Presidency was clear ab
initio. This of necessity placed a political debt burden which the Yoruba
Nation is bound to pay sometime in the future.
There is no doubt in my mind that without
an agreement that the wrong done to the South West geo-political zone by the
annulment of the June 12 election should be redressed, there might have been
Obasanjo presidency in 1999. It is thus apparent that the Nigerian political
system draws its strength from a collective, though unwritten agreement on
National consensus and concession as evidenced by the inclusion of the Federal
Character principle and Quota system in our constitutions.
an agreement that the wrong done to the South West geo-political zone by the
annulment of the June 12 election should be redressed, there might have been
Obasanjo presidency in 1999. It is thus apparent that the Nigerian political
system draws its strength from a collective, though unwritten agreement on
National consensus and concession as evidenced by the inclusion of the Federal
Character principle and Quota system in our constitutions.
We will all recall also how the agitation
for immediate independence in 1955/56 was deliberately put on hold by the
leaders of the Political South as a concession to the North which was
apparently not ready for independence then. This same spirit of building a
national consensus on critical issues and granting concessions at critical
times had been displayed by almost all ethnic groups at one time or the other
in our National history.
for immediate independence in 1955/56 was deliberately put on hold by the
leaders of the Political South as a concession to the North which was
apparently not ready for independence then. This same spirit of building a
national consensus on critical issues and granting concessions at critical
times had been displayed by almost all ethnic groups at one time or the other
in our National history.
True Yoruba spirit
The true Yoruba spirit does not see
politics as a means to a pecuniary end.
politics as a means to a pecuniary end.
Rather, politics is seen by our genuine
leaders as a means to selfless service, building enduring legacies and
instituting equitable systems of administration.
leaders as a means to selfless service, building enduring legacies and
instituting equitable systems of administration.
This was why sometime in 1983, even when he
was uncertain of electoral victory in the upcoming Presidential election, Chief
Obafemi Awolowo predicted in Bonny, Rivers state that in a no distant future,
someone from the Ijaw minority ethnic tribe would emerge as Nigerian President.
was uncertain of electoral victory in the upcoming Presidential election, Chief
Obafemi Awolowo predicted in Bonny, Rivers state that in a no distant future,
someone from the Ijaw minority ethnic tribe would emerge as Nigerian President.
It is in this same vein that the age-long
agitation of the Yoruba people for a restructured Nigerian federation should be
understood. These demands which include greater autonomy for constituent
units and powers to exploit and control their natural resources, establish and
maintain their police, establish and manage local governments as may be
desirable, initiate and implement social, educational , agricultural and fiscal
policies without undue federal hindrances and generally deploy their talents
to the most basic needs as may be identified.
agitation of the Yoruba people for a restructured Nigerian federation should be
understood. These demands which include greater autonomy for constituent
units and powers to exploit and control their natural resources, establish and
maintain their police, establish and manage local governments as may be
desirable, initiate and implement social, educational , agricultural and fiscal
policies without undue federal hindrances and generally deploy their talents
to the most basic needs as may be identified.
These are the time tested values for which
a number of our great sons and daughters stood for, suffered for and to which
majority of the Yorubas subscribe as a panacea to many of our socio-economic
challenges as a Nation. The Yoruba does not want to be cheated but even more
importantly, he does not want others to be treated as second-class citizens in
this great country.
a number of our great sons and daughters stood for, suffered for and to which
majority of the Yorubas subscribe as a panacea to many of our socio-economic
challenges as a Nation. The Yoruba does not want to be cheated but even more
importantly, he does not want others to be treated as second-class citizens in
this great country.
It does not matter to which political party
one belongs; as long as you are a Yoruba man, these are the credo which defines
our politics. We are a value-driven race and our values are not subject to the
whims and caprices of any political tendency.
one belongs; as long as you are a Yoruba man, these are the credo which defines
our politics. We are a value-driven race and our values are not subject to the
whims and caprices of any political tendency.
It is an irony that the platform for
seeking these reforms which the Yorubas had agitated for in decades was only
recently provided by a man from the minority ethnic group who emerged Nigerian
President by providence in 2011.
seeking these reforms which the Yorubas had agitated for in decades was only
recently provided by a man from the minority ethnic group who emerged Nigerian
President by providence in 2011.
That platform is the National Conference
which among others has come up with far-reaching recommendations which if and
when implemented will solve quite a number of our social, political and
economic distortions and restore Nigeria to the path of sustainable growth and
stability.
which among others has come up with far-reaching recommendations which if and
when implemented will solve quite a number of our social, political and
economic distortions and restore Nigeria to the path of sustainable growth and
stability.
These resolutions will have salutary effect
on all ethnic groups in Nigeria who will have the opportunity of self-
determination and development of their natural endowments.
on all ethnic groups in Nigeria who will have the opportunity of self-
determination and development of their natural endowments.
Specifically, the Yoruba Nation will be one
of the greatest beneficiaries of the implementation of the National conference.
We are very highly resourceful both in men and material, diligent and
industrious and have shown in the past our undisputed ability to excel in a
liberal democratic atmosphere which these resolutions from the confab will
engender. We will restore the glory of the former Western Region!
of the greatest beneficiaries of the implementation of the National conference.
We are very highly resourceful both in men and material, diligent and
industrious and have shown in the past our undisputed ability to excel in a
liberal democratic atmosphere which these resolutions from the confab will
engender. We will restore the glory of the former Western Region!
The import of this is that politics is
about enlightened self-interest. If it is in the interest of the Yoruba race or
Nation that these resolutions be implemented and since none of our sons or
daughters is actually a candidate for the Presidential position, it behoves on
us to see beyond the transient glory in partisan victory and pursue a political
objective that will give us enduring benefits. This consideration must be
accomplished on a non-partisan level. Examples abound in our recent history
where other ethnic Nationalities, irrespective of their party affiliation,
especially in the National Assembly become immediately unified on matters
concerning their ethnic nationalities. A dog is a dog and a monkey is a
monkey. Though they both have tails, they do not belong to the same clan; so no
one should present a dog as a monkey to us.
about enlightened self-interest. If it is in the interest of the Yoruba race or
Nation that these resolutions be implemented and since none of our sons or
daughters is actually a candidate for the Presidential position, it behoves on
us to see beyond the transient glory in partisan victory and pursue a political
objective that will give us enduring benefits. This consideration must be
accomplished on a non-partisan level. Examples abound in our recent history
where other ethnic Nationalities, irrespective of their party affiliation,
especially in the National Assembly become immediately unified on matters
concerning their ethnic nationalities. A dog is a dog and a monkey is a
monkey. Though they both have tails, they do not belong to the same clan; so no
one should present a dog as a monkey to us.
Today, another opportunity is presenting
itself for the Yoruba to stand up as the conscience of the Nation. Our leaders
had always been known to defend the weak and stand up for them in times of
need. Our lawyers, academics, and social activists have a record of fighting
oppression wherever it reared its head without asking for a price or a reward.
This generation of Yorubas cannot afford to do less because in the words of
Frantz Fanon, every generation will out of relative obscurity discover its
mission to either fulfill it or betray it.
itself for the Yoruba to stand up as the conscience of the Nation. Our leaders
had always been known to defend the weak and stand up for them in times of
need. Our lawyers, academics, and social activists have a record of fighting
oppression wherever it reared its head without asking for a price or a reward.
This generation of Yorubas cannot afford to do less because in the words of
Frantz Fanon, every generation will out of relative obscurity discover its
mission to either fulfill it or betray it.
Clearly, the stability of this country
rests squarely on the balance of power between the North and the South. The
tripod of the South East, South South and South West that should hold the South
together must be maintained and steadied . The Yorubas are a corner stone of
that tripod and we cannot afford to destabilize it or throw it into
disequilibrium.
rests squarely on the balance of power between the North and the South. The
tripod of the South East, South South and South West that should hold the South
together must be maintained and steadied . The Yorubas are a corner stone of
that tripod and we cannot afford to destabilize it or throw it into
disequilibrium.
It is only a politically united South
operating in harmony with a unified North that can bring about the enduring
peace and stability that is needed to make our Nation viable, virile and great.
operating in harmony with a unified North that can bring about the enduring
peace and stability that is needed to make our Nation viable, virile and great.
Therefore it is time that we stand to
demand that the third leg of the Southern alliance, which is the minority ethnic
group, enjoys the constitutionally guaranteed privilege of a second term
Presidency which the Yorubas have already enjoyed. In doing this, we will not
only be acting to type as a race of principled defender of the helpless, we
will equally be defending our own heritage of having a restructured Nigerian
Federation in line with the recommendations of the National conference.
demand that the third leg of the Southern alliance, which is the minority ethnic
group, enjoys the constitutionally guaranteed privilege of a second term
Presidency which the Yorubas have already enjoyed. In doing this, we will not
only be acting to type as a race of principled defender of the helpless, we
will equally be defending our own heritage of having a restructured Nigerian
Federation in line with the recommendations of the National conference.
The political burden of debt which I
mentioned earlier makes it imperative that we as an ethnic Nationality pay back
to the system what we have benefitted from.
mentioned earlier makes it imperative that we as an ethnic Nationality pay back
to the system what we have benefitted from.
Being excerpts of a speech delivered by Dr
Doyin Okupe Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs at the
Lagos Country Club, Lagos.
Doyin Okupe Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs at the
Lagos Country Club, Lagos.
