The Yoruba Council of Elders on Sunday voiced its opposition to the growing calls for the creation of a Yoruba Nation, emphasizing instead their commitment to preserving Nigeria’s federal structure.
The group stressed that while they support the idea of a unified Nigeria, they advocate for a federal system where each state can operate administratively without unnecessary interference.
The YCE’s statement comes in the wake of the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement advocating for the secession of the Yoruba ethnic group from Nigeria. The YCE acknowledged the document released by YSDM outlining their stance on the need for Yoruba independence, but firmly rejected the idea of secession.
The statement outlined their position: “We have perused the document on the position of YSDM on the state of the Nation and their views for the Yoruba race to be separated from Nigeria. The Yoruba Council of Elders remains firm in its position that the entity called and known as Nigeria should remain as one Nigeria.”
The YCE recognized that there are significant grievances among the Yoruba people about the current federal arrangement, describing it as “lop-sided,” but they advocate for a return to a system where regional administrations had greater autonomy as was envisioned by the nation’s founding fathers.
The statement continued, “Accordingly, the YCE has pooled-in all shades of thoughts which shows that majority of the Yoruba Race feel cheated by the present lop-sided arrangement of the federating powers but they are solidly against going away from the Nigerian arrangement. They would rather go back to the agreement of our founding fathers when the Region administration was autonomous.”
The YCE advocates for a restructured Nigeria where states have the autonomy to govern themselves independently while remaining united as a nation. They drew a parallel to the American federal system, where states operate with significant independence under a unified federal government.
The statement concluded, “YCE therefore stands firmly on the position of the founding Fathers who maintained togetherness but operated independently and contributed their quota to foster administration at the centre. To this extent, we would rather have a restructured Nigeria which will allow states to function independently as part of a whole.”
The YCE’s vision for Nigeria is one of unity through a balanced federalism that respects the diversity of its regions. They expressed hope for a rejuvenated Nigeria where every part contributes to the country’s success, stating, “YCE wants Nigeria to remain one but, like the American arrangement, stay and function administratively devoid of interference by the centre. Let it be known that the strength of the unity lies in the socio-cultural inheritance of each section of the country and these can be deployed through education and efficiency of management. Our great country must rise again and we all will be in it together.”
