By Hamilton Nwosa(Head, The New Diplomat’s Polling, Research and data desk)
Chief Bisi Akande, a former governor of Osun and pioneer Interim Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), has appealed to those agitating for Nigeria’s break-up to bury such thought in order to avoid bloodshed and unmanageable crisis.
Chief Akande who handed down the call on Monday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital during the inauguration of a pet- project initiated by Chief Adebayo Adelabu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and APC governorship candidate in the 2019 elections said to avoid another civil war, and round of crisis, it is imperative to maintain Nigeria’s unity.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Akande, alongside other prominent Nigerians, were in Ibadan for the 50th birthday anniversary of Adelabu.
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Chief Akande cautioned those agitating for the Yoruba nation to break away from Nigeria to perish such idea as might lead to “bloodshed and avoidable civil war that would further decimate the people.”
According to the former Osun State governor, Nigeria cannot afford the stress and strains of another civil war. He said: “Those agitating for a Yoruba nation should have a rethink. This country must remain united to save it from war. Yoruba will be in war for another 100 years if Nigeria is allowed to break.”
Chief Akande noted that Nigeria was already a product of war, adding that the country came into existence after Yoruba people had gone into 100 years of wars, stressing that Nigeria is currently the envy of many nations across the world because of she is the heartbeat of Africa.
“Those tormenting Nigeria are doing so because they are products of failed states. It is a difficult task to stop crimes, particularly in a corrupt society. Now that some Nigerians are talking about breaking because of difficulties, they didn’t know that a man who can not endure will collapse and die. Only enduring country can stay,” he warned.
On his part, Osun State governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, who unveiled the project, applauded Adelabu, saying “the project would meet the yearnings of jobless youths in the state.”
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On his part, Adelabu said that his defeat in the 2019 election was only a delay and not a denial. He said that his loss in the election was a blessing in disguise, adding that it would afford him the opportunity of engaging in reflection that would make him a better governor than he would have been in 2019.
According to him, his desire to be governor of Oyo has not waned, stressing that he i still very much in the 2023 governorship race in Oyo state. NAN reports that the event was attended by Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos State and Chief Moses Adeyemo, a former deputy governor of Oyo State.
