Call For Yoruba Nation A Laughable Extremism-Babatope
A former Minister of Transportation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, has dissociated himself from the increasing call for a Yoruba Nation, describing it as laughable and extremist.
The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said such a call cannot stand, but insisted however that President Muhammadu Buhari should be fair to all tribes in the country at all times.
Babatope said these while featuring on a weekly radio show, Ayekooto on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast on Lagelu 96.7 FM, Felele, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday evening.
Dissociating himself from the ongoing struggle, the lawyer cum journalist said: “I am not part of those calling for the emergence of an independent Yoruba nation.
“It is an extreme measure to call for that. It is an extreme measure which will not stand. We have passed that stage in Nigeria and anybody that thinks he can carry power on his head will destroy himself.
“What we should be fighting for is for a Nigeria that guarantees fairness and freedom of expression, where all tribes will have equal rights and opportunities.”
He said restructuring is the act of redefining true federalism in the country that can give equal rights, freedom to all tribes in the country and charge President Buhari to be fair to all tribes in the country and be above partisan politics in the country.
On the state of the nation, he said “nobody is happy with the situation of things in the country because things have gone really bad, elections have been so badly organized and there is apparent problem with our security and nobody is safe in the country.”
Speaking via telephone interview, Babatope, equally charged Nigeria’s present crop of politicians to live above board and be accountable to those who voted them into power.
He equally warned election riggers in the nation to desist from the ignoble act,declaring that they will reap the fruits of their actions.
“Nigeria politicians should ensure that they meet the aspirations of those who voted them into power. They should respect the wishes of Nigerians. Election riggers never end well. There are so many examples to confirm this,” he said.
Ebino Topsy, as he is popularly called, charged the president to ensure there is justice, equity in the governance of the country, adding that he should not be unfair to any part of the geographical zones of the country.
He said: “Interestingly, I and President Buhari are of the same age, generation. He is one month and some days older than myself. I will tell him to be fair to all tribes at all times,” he added.
He also spoke on the lessons to be learnt from the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, saying “the importance of June 12 is that democracy is the best form of government that can give permanent peace to Nigeria and Nigerians.
“Tampering with democracy is tantamount to tampering with the principles behind June 12 struggle in Nigeria.”
