YWG Supports Southwest APC Leaders On Nigeria’s Unity

The Yoruba Welfare Group has expressed support for the Leaders of All Progressives Congress in the South-West, for opposing calls from separatist groups, and commending them for canvassing for a united Nigeria.

In their recent meeting on Sunday May 24, in the commercial city of Lagos, major stakeholders in the ruling party expressed strong opposition to separatist agitations and hate speeches, even as they urged those indulging in such to desist forthwith.

At the meeting, while they engaged in open and frank discussions of the difficulties facing Nigeria, particularly the serious security challenges, the APC leaders, led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu renewed their belief in the unity, stability and sustainability of the Nigeria.

While commiserating with the nation and President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of the Chief of Army Staff and other officers in the last Friday’s tragic plane crash in Kaduna airport, they noted with concern the security situation in the country – terrorism and violent crimes – adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of many innocent and peace-loving Nigerians.

In a press statement released on Tuesday, the National President of the Yoruba Welfare Group, Comrade AbdulHakeem Adegoke Alawuje said the group was delighted by the stand of the party leaders since their position tallies with position the group has for long canvassed on the unity of Nigeria.

He said YWG agreed with the APC leaders that, “for Nigeria to overcome these challenges, we must do so with unity of purpose and action. The desire for peace and the chance for a prosperous and just society is universal and transcends all regional, religious or ethnic divisions. Sadly, many public figures have made statements that spark division and undermine the needed unity of purpose.

“We urge government at all levels, security agencies, and public leaders across the country to do everything possible to prevent tension so that we sustain the necessary unity to defeat these challenges to our national security. All responsible Nigerians must speak and act in a manner that strengthens our common cause against these common threats to our collective peace, justice and development.”

Alawuje called on Nigeria to eshew violence in all forms, reminding them that all those calling to violence as a means to achieving either political or economic power and influence do not live in Nigeria or have a means of running away when the country goes up in flames.

He noted that Nigeria’s problems require collective concern, stressing that no single ethnic group or a group of individuals can solely solve Nigeria’s problems.

“This is not the time to lament. We must consider the Nation first, before thinking of the political party. This is not the time to remember that if PDP/Jonathan had got it right, Buhari wouldn’t have come, or that now that Buhari has come, the problem has not abated. Our problems have gone beyond Jonathan or Buhari, it now requires everyone’s contributions. We must understand that no president will ever plan or wish to set his country on fire, but unfortunately the nation has turned to be what we are seeing today.

It is on record that YWG took the lead in this direction by calling all other ethnic groups to come together to dialogue and negotiate within ourselves as Nigerians. As long as those who call for divisions may have their points and grievances, the fact remains that we are better off as a strong and united Nigeria.

“Virtually all regions have myriads of problems that are hidden under the unity of the country; and these problems will surely burst out as soon as that division happens”.

YWG thereby urged all Nigerians to keep political, religion and ethnics sentiments aside and rise up to solve the problems militating against the nation.

Alawuje who is a retired military officer said Nigerians are already in a “shadow war” and those sharks -other countries – who feed on wars and crises are already preparing to celebrate if Nigerians mistakenly allows war to happen.

He warned opposition politicians who have started seen the precarious situation as an alternative campaign tools to attack the ruling party, saying what is on ground at present is far beyond PDP vs APC, or Hausa-Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba dichotomy. He stressed that from the lessons of history, there is no country in the world that got divided during such precarious situation like that of Nigeria, that did not regret it.

The National Chairman maintained that the resolutions of the APC Southwest governors meeting with the National leader, have shown that YWG has been on the right track, even as he prayed God to assist the Yoruba land and see the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the turbulent period.