By: Adewale Odeyemi
The move for the reunification, reorientation, and unity of purpose among the Yoruba extractions of Kwara (Igbomina, Ekiti, and Ibolo) popularly referred to as Kwara Southerners under the umbrella of Kwara South Development Forum was indeed a long-awaited dream for all genuine Progressive Kwara Southerners. Truly, Kwara South hitherto suffered from internal betrayal, selfish interest, political subjugation, bureaucratic imbalance, developmental deficiency, divide and rule syndrome, group witch hunting, and most importantly Leadership Vacuum.
Interestingly, Kwara Southerners are major players among the pioneering Kwara political class who helped shape the developmental path of the State on its creation in 1967. The efforts of the likes of Late. Brig. Gen. Femi David Lasisi Bamigboye, Group Captain Salaudeen Adebola Latinwo, and Baba Ekunrin to mention but a few were legendary in the annals of Kwara Political development. They advocated for equal development of Kwara, where every group has a voice at the table.
The glorious days of Kwara South began to wane off in the twinkling light of the Second Republic when the old progressive politicians began to retire from politics. They vacated the political space without building progressive and united successors who would have upheld their legacies and progressive ideals. The political stage was later flooded by selfish young politicians vulnerable to the divide-and-rule antics, they were incited against themselves. They saw themselves as competitors in the political arena, instead of brothers representing the development of their regions. Unfortunately, critical issues of political betrayals, backbiting, and witch-hunting have led to the denial of the region's equitable development. Testimonies abound of Kwara Southerners who had lost government employment and political appointments because his/her brethren in the highest political cadre couldn't put a word for them. Political officeholders see their offices as their birthright and would rather facilitate opportunities for their immediate family, concubines, and allies instead of their brethren. These issues have bred animosity and political apathy among indigenes who see politicians as scammers with dubious antics.
It is against this background, that we need to objectively understand the intent and motivation for the Kwara South Unity Summit. It is interesting to see the faces of the so-called leaders who have once held political offices and appointments calling for the unity of Kwara South. However, the potency of the Unity Summit will be well justified if it can credibly serve as a "Truth and Rehabilitation Commission" as adopted by Late Desmond Tutu in the post Apartheid era in South Africa. We look forward to hearing from our leaders, "how they have contributed to the development of our region, how many employment opportunities and appointments they facilitated for Kwara Southerners when they were in offices, and their roles in promoting our unity?." Accountability is key to unification. This will assist us in healing from the hitherto animosity and perceived deception by our politicians.
On a final note, the summit organizers should consider involving indigenous associations from Kwara South home and abroad in this unity project. Kwara South businessmen, entrepreneurs, youth associations, artisans groups, and local security outfits should have a seat on the table.
We hope Kwara South gets it right this time. Best of Luck
Adewale Odeyemi is a patriotic Kwaran and Kwara Southerners.
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Opinion