Yorubapanupo

YORUBAPANUPO: A Perspective 

By Seye Adetunmbi

With the recurring cynical attitudes rocking the Yoruba political camp, the question Nigerians especially the Yoruba might need an urgent answer to is: does the Yoruba nation really have any future? Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the 'mother' that would sing a perfect lullaby for the crying child. Afenifere is no longer what it used to be and effort to unite the warring sides is becoming more difficult by the day. One needs no soothsayer to predict that creating another Afenifere Group may amount to a short-lived journey if the motive behind the formation is not to achieve an all-encompassing Yoruba socio-political platform that will endure.Another question that would need an urgent answer is: why it was increasingly difficult for Yoruba people to have a universally acceptable socio-cultural and all-encompassing political family platform in the latter days of Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo and even after his exit? Although, it could be difficult for a nation or large group of people to speak perfectly with one voice in a free society, yet a truly representative voice is achievable. In its efforts to find lasting solutions to the impasse in Afenifere, some concerned Nigerians have canvassed another Yoruba group that would bring together all Yoruba and focus on the socio-cultural needs of the people instead of politics.
   The belief is that there could be solution if Yoruba people critically assess the scenario that played out when the majority of ethnic groups - Northerners, Easterners and the West in Nigeria used to have a bulk popular voice in the past. Then, it was easier for Egbe Omo Oduduwa or the original Afenifere to have unique superior influence in the old western region because the Yoruba nation was under a geographical region and political leadership, which applied to the Hausas and Ibos respectively.
  The problem with Yoruba politicians is the reluctance to accept the reality on the ground. Undoubtedly, it is not advisable for leaders to adopt political strategies of pre and post independence days in the running of the affairs of a sophisticated race and diversely enlightened nation like Yoruba in the 21st century.
   Now that the main Yoruba territory in Nigeria is made up of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, some part of Kwara, Ondo, Oyo and Osun States it is rather utopian for any aboriginal socio-cultural group to be in the background or constitute themselves somewhere and want to determine which political party will rule or present certain candidates in all the representative states; and expected everyone to fall in line.
   No sectional political family or group in the manner they are presently structured can hold on to the soul of Yoruba nation in the way we are now. Gone were the days when all interested parties or the stakeholders, agree on a structured platform to move the Yoruba nation forward. If this is sincerely pursued with clear-cut objectives, it may help. This could at least be to the memory of those leaders who did all the regions proud in the past, to acknowledge their good deeds and adopt any of their manifestoes that can be implemented to take Yoruba nation to the Promised Land.
   The new order that produced Obama as the first Black President of America in USA and its reality in Nigeria today is not interested in whether you are pro-Awolowo or anti-Akintola or against Afenifere. What the people want is purposeful leadership that draws inspiration from the good past for the welfare of all now and in the future. The emphasis of Obama is neither based on colour nor race but on a ‘change’ that borders on issues.
   This is why some Yoruba people are calling upon the elite to promote an all-encompassing socio-cultural and political platform in the mould of what could be referred to as Yoruba Panupo Forum (Yorubapanupo): a neutral name that will not push away people needed in all encompassing fold like. This Yoruba group, it is believed would act as a check to those playing sectional politics and at the same time ensures eradication of politics of alienation and segregation.
   In the new rejuvenated Yoruba all inclusive socio-political group, no one would claim to love the masses more than the other, and leaders would avoid playing politics of 'it is only a sectional group that can save the Yoruba nation'. Anyone who wants to solely take the glory would make himself an enemy of the people. In essence, Ogun people would constitute Ogunpanupo; Ondo would constitute Ondopanupo; Lagos would constitute Ekopanupo; Oyo will come up with Oyopanupo; Osun intellectuals will come together as Osunpanupo, Ilorin Afonja, Igbomina Okun people too will 'panupo' and team up with Ekitipanupo. All these native groups will have their representatives in the national consultative Yorubapanupo roundtable.
   It is also believed that if Yoruba leaders come together, Yorubapanupo will be the melting point for the warring parties in the existing indigenous Yoruba socio-political groups where whatever concerns the Yoruba nation would be decided. It will not be a political party neither would it be any state government’s platform. We must always remember that everyone is first and foremost a member of a family that belongs to a particular hometown in a state before thinking about the larger Yoruba family. Nobody would wish an external influence to take charge of immediate family affairs. Each state is unique within Yoruba nation and the people reserve the right to decide, which political ideology they choose to associate with at any point in time.
   Our politicians must think right and stop deceiving themselves. We need ourselves. We can't wish the young and old politicians away. Like the saying in the Christian fold, the youth is the future of the Church. Likewise any groove the heathen do not expose the youth to will go into extinction. Also the elders must not be relegated to the background. Whoever is ambitious to become Yoruba leader let him earn it. The past leaders did not buy or lobby for it. A generally acceptable leader often evolves in the normal course of events without rancour through the leader's deeds as the situation demands.
   The challenge that the new Yoruba forum would have to contend with is how to make sure the group works together for the good of all, and contain the political manipulators for sectional or personal. Then, the past leaders would be happy to see that the lot of people has been improved upon through good politicking and purposeful governance, which they toiled for in their lifetime.