The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has decried the current level of insecurity in the country, likening the current situation to the 1967 crisis during the early period of military interregnum.
Oba Adeyemi believes restructuring of Nigeria is paramount to resolve the current security and human welfare crisis; and would want all Yorubas to push for it.
The monarch, in a statement on Sunday said the current situation requires that all Yoruba leaders should come together irrespective of political differences and speak with one voice as in the days of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He boldly affirmed that the nation is in his worst time ever in comparison with the situation in 1967 during the political crisis of General Gowon, and the growing ethno-religious suspicion among various Yoruba communities.
He recalled that during the time (1067 crisis) Yoruba leaders across different political parties abandoned their political differences to meet in Ibadan under the governorship of General Adeyinka Adebayo, where the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was selected as the leader and authentic spokesman of the Yoruba.
He said the success recorded by Awolowo’s leadership kept the Yoruba away from any kind of civil war in spite of all temptations as his insistence on true federalism, served as the bedrock of political survival and stability of the country.
He also recalled the Owo meeting when Afenifere under the leadership of Awolowo was ideologically perfected for the welfare of the people based on education of all children of school age and the general enlightenment of all illiterate adults and children above school age; and secondly the provision of health and general welfare for all people and the total abolition of want in our society by means of economic policies which were both expedient and effective.
He concluded by emphasising the need for restructuring to replace the present system he believes was more unitary than federal.