Yoruba leaders, regardless of political affiliations, have agreed to establish an umbrella organisation to be known as The Yoruba Legacy Forum which will be available and free for individuals to join. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of the Yoruba Leaders, held at the instance of the matriarch of the Awolowo Family, Chief H. I. D, Awolowo, at Ikenne on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by four South West Governors, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State; Mr. Segun Oni, Ekiti State and Otunba Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State. Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi while Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State represented Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. Former Oyo State Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina was the only former governor from the zone that attended the meeting.
The leaders, who equally recognised the crisis in the Pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, resolved that it would mobilise efforts toward reaching a peace process in the group and among Yoruba Obas. In the document endorsed by Awolowo and read by one of the six coordinators, Mr. Segun Adesegun, the leaders resolved that all Yoruba, irrespective of political affiliation, must come together to fight for the Yoruba cause. The communiqué read, “The unity of Yoruba race under one umbrella has become most compelling and accordingly, the meeting resolved to form an umbrella organisations for all Yorubas, regardless of party or other affiliation to be known as The Yoruba legacy Forum’ of which membership will be on individual basis and the forum shall meet in Ikenne.
“That all efforts will continue to be made towards the peace process in Afenifere and amongst prominent Yoruba Obas.” The convener lamented the poor disposition of the former South West governors to the resolution of the crisis among the Yoruba leaders, adding that the death of the sage (her husband) had resulted in the proliferation of factions in Afenifere. Awolowo decried the attitude of the former governors to the resolution of the crisis between them and their successors but singled out Adeshina as most committed of the former governors. She added that she had called them into a meeting to settle the impasse but regretted that they failed to turned up. Awolowo submitted that the action could not guarantee peace and progress for the Yoruba.
Those who attended the meeting included Chief Olu Falae,Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Gbenga Kaka, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Chief Ebenezer Babatope among others
