Why can’t we simply declare the Yoruba Nation? - Baasegun - IlanaUK Townhall meeting 18.03.22
This is not an idle question. What happens if we win the court case and stopped the 2022 Ekiti/Osun gubernatorial elections? A declaration would have to be made.
There is no real international downside to a declaration of Yoruba independence
· In 1991, Somaliland declared independence from Somalia. Somaliland has remained independent ever since.
· Somaliland, although not recognized by the big world powers, is sustained by a transnational network – diaspora, friendly states, trading partners etc.
· The Yoruba Nation would have a bigger network than Somaliland.
· The international community would recognize a Yoruba Nation - we have the economic potential
· The Fulani will not declare war because they know they can’t win it.
But there is a perceived domestic downside
· The Yoruba are not united
· The Oba and politicians and other elites will oppose and resist because a Yoruba Nation would terminate the privileges they currently enjoy.
· There would be a split in the ranks which could result in infighting amongst the Yoruba.
· The Edo and other minorities do not regard themselves as Yoruba
· This domestic downside is apparent, not real
Who could make the declaration? Who should make the declaration?
There are 3 possibilities:
· Political or other elites
· Leaders of socio-cultural organisations
· Traditional rulers
The Yoruba political elite includes a VP and a presidential aspirant
· However, they do not command widespread grassroot following
· Our politicians ‘buy loyalty’ at the time of elections
· Party affiliations have blinded some to Yoruba self-determination
· Whatever position the political elites take automatically would generate fierce opposition.
The Yoruba socio-cultural leaders include the Alana and the Afenifere leader
· These leaders too do not have widespread grassroot following
· Their followers are mainly activists; 1% of the population at best.
· But, when the Yoruba talk about unity what they really mean is leadership
· If a leader emerged, who could make the Yoruba believe in him they will follow him. Sunday Igboho proved that.
The traditional rulers
· We Yoruba talk disparagingly about the Oba, but most of us still have emotional attachment to that institution
· Why else would politicians visit the Oba at the time of elections or social upheavals?
· If a 1st class Oba or a group of them declared Yoruba Nation today, people are likely to follow.
· No politician would oppose.
· Example: the Ooni declared a curfew in Ife, no one opposed it
The traditional rulers are our best bet, but today’s Oba is timid, he lacks self-belief
· He is not ‘responsibility hardened’ like his forefathers
· He sees his position as merely socialite.
How do we move forward? What should we do?
· We the people should target one Oba and make him make the declaration
· The Alaafin of Oyo would be the most appropriate in his capacity as the political Head of the Yoruba Nation.
· In 1888, the then Alaafin signed a treaty with Queen Victoria as equal sovereigns.
· That treaty has not lapsed and has not been superseded.
The Alaafin would need to be emboldened to make the declaration.
· Self-determination groups could pledge their support.
· People could organise rallies and set up camps within the Oyo palace grounds.
· There could be supporting media campaign
· Yoruba people of influence too could pledge their support
The declaration would be more even powerful if accompanied by the appointment of an interim administrator with a one-year tenure.
· The transition from a dysfunctional Nigeria to Yoruba Nation needs to be properly managed.
· The immediate task for the administrator would be threefold:
o To secure the internal and external borders perhaps using an extended Amotekun
o To establish an independent central bank to introduce a new currency and manage the nation’s money
o To oversee a consultative assembly