Ahead of the 2023 elections, about 120 Pan Yoruba groups, community based and civil society associations will meet in Lagos next week to take a common position on the Presidential candidate considered best for the people of the South West.
The groups under the banner of All Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM) made up of 120 groups among which are the Network for Yoruba Alliance, (NEYA), Oodua People’s Congress, (OPC New Era) Oodua Nationalist Coalition, (ONAC), South West Professional Forum, (SOWROF), Agbekoya Solidarity, Oodua Peoples Congress, (OPC Reformed), South West Progressive Women Coalition, Ibile, South West Hunters Union, ANACOWA representing Okada rider unions in the South West, Itsekiri Progressive Youth Forum, Covenant Group, (CG), Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, (NATA) representing mechanics in the South West, Oodua Association of Bricklayers, Oodua Nationalist Congress, (ONAC) Egbe Majemu Titun, Association of the Physically Challenged in the South West, Traders and several artisan associations spread across the old Western Region including Edo and Delta States.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by its General Secretary, Mr Popoola Ajayi the meeting will be the largest gathering of Pan Yoruba groups in recent times, adding that the objective of the group is to strengthen brotherhood, cooperation and solidarity among the several community based groups in the South West territories.
Leaders of Yoruba associations in South East and Northern Nigeria, plus those in Ivory Coast and in the West Coast will grace the occasion.
“The meeting is for for social, cultural and community based groups in the Old Western Region, all professional and artisan groups that matter will be at this historic event. The people will debate their future and chart a new pathway,” AYDM stated
The group said for the past two months it’s officials have toured the old Western Region meeting youth and women organisations, artisan groups, aged, poor and rich and professionals adding that the Lagos meeting will enable the groups to adopt an informed position on the 2023 Presidential election.
AYDM said across the South West three tendencies have emerged: Those clamouring for restructuring of the Federation; those calling for Yoruba self determination as the only option and those who hope the 2023 elections is an opportunity to address the historic injustice that continues to drag Nigeria into the red light district of socio-economic and political affairs.
AYDM said the three positions represent the culture of diversity in Yoruba history and that it is the responsibility of each trend to convince the people based on meaningful and constructive engagement.
AYDM said it supports self determination as entrenched in the United Nations charter and it hopes the 2023 election will advance the campaign for Peoples voices to be heard and respected in their clamour what what is best for the common good.
The theme of the Conference is 2023: Which Way for Yoruba People and the Old Western Region? The Guest Speakers are Dr Adegoke and Prof Lucky Akaruese.
