2015: We’ll resist anti-Yoruba pacts –Activists
In a statement signed by the group’s Chairman and Secretary, Dayo Ogunlana and Razaq Olokooba respectively, at the end of its leadership meeting in Lagos yesterday, COSEG said: “The interest of the race must be paramount in the minds of all Yoruba sons and daughters,” warning that “any attempt to undermine, jeopardize or compromise Yoruba collective interest will be vehemently resisted.”
Besides, COSEG advised Yoruba politicians and other pressure organizations to be wary of activities and maneuverings of their colleagues from the other regions towards undermining the unity and cohesiveness of the race.
According to the statement, “the interest of our race must overshadow all the inter and intra-party crises that were tearing the country apart,” condemning that supposed pacts signed on behalf of Yoruba by some political gladiators without considering the negative implication on the wellbeing of the race.
“As the representatives of the Yoruba people, we are of the conviction that some activities of other regions are hindering our development, growth and progress and also holding us down,” the statement said, wondering “why anybody can deem it sensible to sign pacts with such people.”
Recall that on Tuesday, Kuku visited the National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams in his Lagos home.
A top presidency source told Daily Sun on condition of anonymity that the visit was part of the long term plan to seek the support of all major opinion leaders in the South-West.
He said President Jonathan mindful of the importance of the South-West to his re-election ambition and was determined to sustain a plan to secure the support of the zone in 2015.
But Kuku said his visit to Otunba Adams was a private one which had nothing to do with President Jonathan’s 2015 ambition.
Kuku, who wore a white brocade just like his host, Adams, prayed that Nigerians would not read political meanings into the visit.
“But as a public officer, you must be ready at all times to let the public know what you are doing. I have come for a very friendly and not formal visit. I have come to visit my brother and I want Nigerians not to read political gimmicks into the visit.
“Gani Adams is from Ondo State and I am also from Ondo State. We are brothers. For a very long time, I have not seen him. I saw him last when we were putting together the Nigerian mass movement struggles. The fact that today, I am in government serving the Nigerian people as special adviser to the president on the Niger Delta does not distort the fact that Otunba Gani Adams and I share a few ideological issues together,” he said.
“Ideology has bonded us. State has bonded us and generational age has bonded us. The visit is never political. It is a family visit
“We are not discussing 2015 here. If anything like 2015 is going to bond us, it might still be on ideology,” he said.
Speaking during the visit, Otunba Adams, who also said the visit did not have any political undertone, recalled his long standing relationship with Kuku.
“Our meeting has nothing to do with 2015 but just private and personal issues.
Kuku has done a lot in the Niger Delta and the Amnesty programme. This is especially by bringing peace and tranquility to the Niger Delta.
On 2015 general election, he said President Jonathan had a right to seek re-election in 2015.
“Mr. President is the commander in-chief of the Armed Forces and president of Nigeria. He is my leader and the president of the country whether you like it or not.
“As a Yoruba person, we believe in the constitution and that things should be done right. The constitution says that you have a right to contest for two terms. The president has a right to contest for a second term and there is no doubt about that,” he said.
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