Use Awolowo’s philosophy to manage S’West commission – Afenifere chieftain

Chieftain of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, shares his insights with Peter Dada on various national issues, particularly those impacting the South-West region

Recently, the Senate passed the South West Development Commission Bill. How important is this to the region?

The South West Development Commission, as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, is a welcome addition to the extensive and impressive collection of development tools for the rapid economic growth of our region. It is a welcome policy as long as the unitary constitution we are operating under is still in force.

For me, it is a natural and inevitable consequence of our national policy direction and trajectory. The South-West will embrace it and make the best use of it. The SWDC can transform the infrastructural landscape of the South-West and provide the necessary platform and impetus for all-round development. For instance, there is an urgent need for inter-state railway networks that will directly link most major towns, farms, and industrial hubs across the region.

However, there is a fundamental provision that focuses on the management of the commission. This must be entrusted to competent, passionate, and resilient people guided by Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s man-centred philosophy. Such individuals must be self-driven and self-motivated to design and promote a development agenda for the benefit of the region and its people.

There is a need for urgency regarding a restructured polity to further enhance the idea of a development commission, which is, at best, an economic tool to drive sustainable development.

They cannot be adapted to resolve fundamental political challenges. This is evident from our experience of conflicts in virtually all geo-political zones. While we savour the prospects of renewed initiatives to galvanise development in the region, we must redouble our efforts to realise a genuine political restructuring of Nigeria, which, rather than ceding more control to the centre, ensures that federating states gain more powers and resources to chart their preferred paths to wholesome development. This is the path that guarantees peace, progress, and prosperity. It remains the ultimate path to follow.

On this note, we would like to appreciate His Excellency, Senator Gbenga Daniel, the sponsor of the bill, all members of the South-West Senate Caucus, all members of the South-West House of Representatives Caucus, presiding officers, and all the legislative aides. I also appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in advance for his assent.

Do you believe that passing such a bill aligns with the needs and desires of the people during this period of economic hardship?

As I said earlier, the SWDC will promote regional infrastructure and economic development. It will help address long-standing disparities and attract investments, ultimately contributing to job creation. Job creation is one of the ways to tackle the economic crisis. The commission could potentially generate employment opportunities, especially in agriculture, industry, and services within the region.

After one year, many believe the Tinubu administration has yet to find its footing in solving Nigerian problems, particularly in the petroleum sector, which has made life tougher for the people. Does Afenifere regret supporting him?

As I mentioned, the Commission would focus on local resources. With better governance at the regional level, the South-West can maximise the use of local resources to foster self-sufficiency and ensure growth in strategic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, transportation, and manufacturing, among others.

Does Afenifere regret supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR?

No, we can never regret such a crucial decision. We believe he means well for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Let us overlook the teething challenges we have faced as a country since he assumed office. Is it his fault? The answer is a resounding no, but I will not go into details now. I reiterate that Afenifere stands firmly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, like the Rock of Gibraltar.

We supported him out of the three leading candidates because he was the best among them. When it comes to his handling of the petroleum sector, I believe this president is the boldest; perhaps the most daring leader Nigeria has ever produced. I reach this conclusion because since 1974, Nigeria has been grappling with corruption in the petroleum sector, especially regarding fuel subsidy, and none of our leaders has addressed this challenge. Every successive government has lacked the courage to tackle it head-on once and for all.

For example, President Olusegun Obasanjo increased petrol prices 15 times during his eight years in office, raising fuel pump prices twice a year. When President Muhammadu Buhari was leaving office, he did not make provisions for fuel subsidy.

What would we expect the new president to do, break the law? He was bold and fearless. He applied the Yoruba adage about dealing with a parasite in the testicle: remove it once and for all, and it will bleed and stop.

“Pele la n se ifon (rash), to ba maa se omi ko se omi, to ba maa se eje ko se eje” (literally means: we must be decisive in dealing with a rash outbreak, whatever the outcomes). The wisdom of the Yoruba elders also says, “sakiti para la n be ito, ti ito ba yi ni ayiju, oju akuwarapa laye maa fi wo eeyan” (meaning, if you must spit, do it straight and sharp, because a dragging, drawling spittle could be confused for epileptic drooping).

People like me have great faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because of the civil service reforms he implemented while serving as governor of Lagos State.

My friend, Comrade Ayodele Akele, the union leader, fought Tinubu to a standstill, much like Comrade Arthur Scargill fought Margaret Thatcher over union reform in Britain.

Today, Lagos State has the best civil service out of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Another battle he fought was the creation of the Lagos Waste Management Authority. He was convinced and persuaded as a leader that the policy was beneficial for the welfare of the people.

But people everywhere are voicing their frustrations over the harsh economic conditions.

It is a matter of patience and understanding. Let the leader confront the wild wolves and jackals once and for all.

Afenifere has been clamouring for the restructuring of the country, but given the current situation, do you think the administration has any plans in this direction?

We are keeping hope alive that the restructuring agenda will be fully implemented, as some piecemeal actions have been taking place. For example, the Supreme Court has decided on financial autonomy for local governments, and the bill for the establishment of state police is before the National Assembly. Additionally, the National Assembly is reviewing over 60 constitutional alteration bills to further deepen our federalism.

Tinubu has asked us to allow him to walk like a baby, wobble, and eventually gain stability. Slow and steady wins the race.

Some believe President Tinubu may not be able to pursue restructuring because it may go against certain interests in the country. What is your take?

The restructuring agenda has travelled from Afenifere’s base to every corner of Nigeria. Everyone recognises that this idea is the only policy that can move the country forward. The elites in the northern part of Nigeria are becoming more vocal about the need for a rearrangement of the country for development, referred to as restructuring.

I believe they are gradually coming to terms with the entrenched challenges we face as a federation. We are on a journey, and I am convinced that we will all reach a consensus on how to make the federation more functional for everyone.

Recently, it was reported that President Bola Tinubu may reshuffle his cabinet. Is this the right step to take now, in the light of various challenges facing Nigerians?

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited the worst form of governance structure this country has ever seen or experienced. Since our system of politics is not parliamentary, where shadow ministers would have been in place, the presidential system allows gatecrashers into the public service system.

Most of them will be unknown to the appointing authority, who is the President. So, more than a year into his administration, it is pertinent for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review all his key appointments, especially cabinet positions, for more effective performance. Therefore, I believe there is nothing wrong if he decides to reshuffle his cabinet.

By Tuesday, Nigeria will be celebrating its 64th anniversary. In your view, where would you place the country?

What has depreciated so fast and sadly in our country since 1960 is the value system. Our value system, to say the least, has crashed. In terms of economic and industrial advancement, we are not where we are supposed to be. I hope we will reach our destination, but this requires elite consensus.

This simply demands that members of the elite are unanimous about the fundamental norms of the political and social system. They have to agree on the basic rules of the game and the imperative of preserving the political and social system. Across political divides, the governing elites must come together and agree on how to move the country forward by promoting the interests of the people. They must start deemphasising their parochial socio-economic and political interests and uphold the national interest. This is the way to move forward. At a point, political leaders in most developed countries decided to promote the interests of their countries and put aside their parochial political interests. That decision brought about significant changes in their political systems.

Many believe the group has become factionalised, with two factions holding meetings at different venues. At one meeting held at Pa Fasoranti’s residence, Afenifere abolished all positions except for that of the National Leader. However, we continue to see statements from Chief Adebanjo’s faction, which are signed by a Secretary General, Deputy Leader, Publicity Secretary, and others. Why is this discrepancy occurring?

The tradition of Afenifere in choosing its leader has not changed. Only the leader is elected in Afenifere; every other person serving in some capacity is appointed by the leader. Like a king, the leader of Afenifere must die for any other person to succeed him. The leader is the consenting authority in Afenifere and can appoint, reshuffle, or let go of any officers; only the leader can do that. In the history of Afenifere, only Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Pa Abraham Adesanya, and Pa Rueben Fasoranti were elected.

When Pa Fasoranti lost his daughter to Fulani herdsmen marauders, he was devastated and had to excuse himself from duty to mourn and gather himself together. In the interim, and since nature abhors a vacuum, Pa Adebanjo, as the next most senior leader of Afenifere, was appointed as acting leader and not elected. Because he was appointed, he could only exercise leadership power in an acting capacity, meaning that power could also be withdrawn when the real leader returned. However, immediately after he was appointed, Pa Adebanjo broke the tradition of Afenifere by moving Afenifere meetings from Pa Fasoranti’s house in Akure to his own house in Ogbo Ijebu. That is wrong. Pa Jonathan Odebiyi never did that when he was acting for Pa Adekunle Ajasin, and Pa Abraham Adesanya never moved Afenifere meetings to his residence until Pa Ajasin directed him to do so.

Aside from that, Pa Adebanjo began to make decisions without consulting his leader, Rueben Fasoranti. The problem is that some individuals took a cue or advantage by beginning to mill around him and addressing him as the leader instead of an acting leader. Those Afenifere leaders who adhered to the age-old traditions of Afenifere drew attention to this sacrilege and objected to it. That was where the schism started. After recovering fully, Pa Fasoranti decided to resume his duty as Afenifere leader. In the January 2024 general meeting, the positions of acting leader and deputy leader were abrogated by the national leader (Pa Fasoranti). However, Pa Adebanjo refused to step down and relinquish his acting leader position.

What was initially seen as a family affair that would be settled in the Yoruba time-honoured tradition took a new twist when politics was introduced by those who decided, without consultation with others, to take a political position perceived as injurious to Yoruba interests. The leader, Pa Rueben Fasoranti, admonished us to support a fellow member of Afenifere who has previously won an election on the Afenifere ticket and manifesto, especially regarding restructuring. He has demonstrated his belief in the restructuring agenda as governor of Lagos State. We conveyed this message to the Yoruba people, who believed us and supported Asiwaju. However, our other brothers and sisters, led by Pa Ayo Adebanjo, mounted the campaign box asking the Yoruba people to support Peter Obi. The Yoruba people rejected their plea. That should have been the end of the differences in opinion.

Take, for example, when President Muhammadu Buhari was ill; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was named Acting President. The moment Buhari returned as president, Osinbajo vacated the position of acting president and returned to his position as vice president. Imagine what would have happened if Osinbajo had refused to do that or if he had decided to drag the presidency with Buhari. What if he insisted on remaining as acting president while Buhari was still alive, well, and functioning within his tenure? That is the genesis of the confusion you just referred to.

So you acknowledge that there is confusion within the association?

For those of us maintaining loyalty to Afenifere’s traditions, there is no confusion at all. I must admit, however, that there are confusionists parading themselves everywhere, wearing a false guise of speaking for or acting on behalf of Afenifere. But all this will fade with the passage of time.

What steps is the group taking to resolve these differences and unite members?

The Yoruba are unhappy with the current developments. They want a united front, especially now that their son is president. They believe that maximum cooperation—both in support and constructive criticism—should be extended to him, as his success is a point of pride for the Yoruba people. However, the tradition of Afenifere is sacrosanct and untouchable; it must be honoured regardless of who is affected.