Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State and one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday, disclosed the reason why he chose Kano as the venue for his 12th colloquium and 69th birthday.
According to him, the change in venue was purely to live up to the theme of the 12th Colloquium which is ‘Our Common Bond, Our common Wealth’.
This is coming after insinuations by many political analysts that the change in the venue of Colloquium outside Lagos State and Abuja, for the first time since 1999 when the idea behind the event was first birthed, might not be unconnected to the presidential ambition of Tinubu in 2023.
Just recently, Tinubu donated N50million to the victims of Kastina Central Market Fire, a gesture which had generated massive reactions from several Yoruba groups and individuals, who berated him for neglecting the victims of fire outbreak at Sasha Market, Ibadan, Oyo State and the victims of Akesan Market in Oyo township. Many had argued that the gesture was just a mere political eye service.
However, the former Governor has discarded such insinuations, stating that the reason he hosted his 12th Colloquium in Kano was as a result of the recent call for secession from various quarters in the country.
According to him, the unity of Nigeria is paramount to him than any political ambition.
The APC chieftain made reference to the marriage of the daughter of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State to the son of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, which took place in Kano in 2018, as a pointer that the Fulanis and the Yorubas can peacefully co-exist together.
Tinubu stated that his actions were geared towards demonstrating to Nigerians that a Fulani man and a Yoruba man can stay together without fighting. He, however, expressed optimism that Nigerians should learn to live in peace and harmony through his act, rather than tagging it as a mere political move.
In his words, “It is to demonstrate to Nigerians at this critical time. It is because there is a Fulani man, a herder man who gave his daughter to a farmer, Yoruba man. And that Fulani, that Yoruba and some people are agitating wrongly. If we can encourage support to go and spend a couple of days with my brother in-law in Kano and demonstrate that he has not quarreled with me, he has not seceded from Nigeria, I didn’t need a passport or visa to get to Kano, maybe others will have peace of conscience, live in peace and harmony and be loving to one another. That is what Ganduje and I are showing to Nigerians and that is the purpose of this colloquium end of story. All of you here should thank Ganduje for what we have been able to show Nigerians together. That a Fulani man and a Yoruba man can show the entire nation that in harmony, we can show Nigerians that perseverance creates understanding. It is a common blood that flows through our veins.”
The theme of event: ‘Our Common Bond, Our Common Wealth: The Imperative Of National Cohesion For Growth And Prosperity’ was reportedly chosen in relation with the recent clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and the Yoruba farmers, which has led to a call for secession.
Recall Mr Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise known as Igboho, a self-acclaimed O’odua Activist, had championed the fight against insecurity in Southwest through the ultimatum he issued to the Fulani Herders in Ibarapa area of Oyo State. He had alleged that the Fulani herdsmen are the ones orchestrating the several criminalities reported in the state and across Southwest.
His activism has since upgraded to the call for the establishment of the Yoruba nation and the secession of Southwest from Nigeria.
While some Yoruba groups, leaders and individuals have joined the secession campaign, some are clamouring for restructuring, while the rest outrightly disowned the call for secession.
Recall also that recently, Asari Dokubo, former Niger Delta Militant announced the establishment of Biafra Customary Government in South-East and South-South region of Nigeria.
According to him, the marginalisation of the Igbo people inspired him to declare a self-styled defacto customary government, which in his words will ensure “a better life for his people”.
