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Tag: COSEG

  • Group urges Fayemi, Bamidele to reconcile

    Group urges Fayemi, Bamidele to reconcile

    The Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Groups (COSEG) has urged Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and House of Representatives member Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele to reconcile in the interest of the progressive bloc in the state.

    The group also warned politicians not to plunge Ekiti State into chaos, ahead of the 2014 governorship election.

    COSEG’s warning came on the heel of the recent reports of disruption of political meetings, maiming and killings, accusations and counter-accusations between the two camps in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The group urged the supporters of the two politicians to embrace peace.

    COSEG warned in a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Dayo Ogunlana, and Secretary, Mr. Razaq Olokoba, that any crack in the wall may make the enemy of the progressives to plot evil.

    The group urged the two leaders to guide against any act that could cause irreparable damage to the polity and socio-economic life of the people of the state, in particular, and Yoruba nation in general.

    COSEG wondered why should two brothers from the same party, who have paid their dues in the struggle of the Yoruba people and Nigerians for democracy, could become political foes.

    The association advised them to sink their personal differences and work for the good of Ekitiland.

    The group said that the political rivalry should not be allowed to degenerate into the ugly rift between Chiefs Adekunle Ajasin and Akin Omoboriowo, which led to killing, maiming and wanton destruction of property in the old Ondo State.

    COSEG added: “Ekiti is not only a centre of knowledge well known for the industry, it is also an important epicenter of Yoruba politics. Any major crisis in Ekiti would definitely not augur well for the rest of Yoruba, particularly at this time when the grounds lost to political miscalculations about a decade ago have just been regained and are being consolidated.

    “It is on this note that COSEG calls on well meaning Yoruba elders, both within and outside political parties, to join hands in stemming the tide of an impending disaster because a stitch in time, it is said, saves nine”

     

  • COSEG: Jonathan has marginalised Southwest

    COSEG: Jonathan has marginalised Southwest

    A pan-Yoruba organisation, the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups (COSEG), has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan has marginalised the Southwest in the distribution of federal appointments.

    The group said the President has refused to fulfil his electoral promises to the zone, despite its support for him during the last election. COSEG also called on the Southwest governors to rebuild the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, instead of allowing the President to rebuild the palace.

    The group said in a statement by its chairman, Mr. Dayo Ogunlana, and secretary, Mr. Rasak Olokoba, that the palace is the heritage of the Yoruba nation.

    COSEG described the overtures by President Goodluck Jonathan, who had promised tto rebuild the palace, as a Greek gift. The group said the statement did not translate to any presidential affection for the marginalised race.

    The group said it was curious that the President who had allegedly “sidelined, marginalized and shortchanged” Yoruba in federal appointments, has turned around to appease the race with the unusual gesture.

    COSEG emphasised that President Jonathan has failed to fulfil his electoral promises to the Southwest states, despite their overwhelming support for him at the 2011 poll.

    The group maintained that the task of rebuilding the palace is the duty of the Southwest governors, urging them to rise to the occasion.

    COSEG added: “The palace is the custodian of our collective ancestral heritage which need to be protected. It is not the duty of any outsider, no matter how powerful or highly placed in the society, to usurp our God-given responsibilities.”