Delegates plan to correct “serious error” caused by 1914 amalgamation

The Ogun State government on Thursday announced its delegates for the National Conference.

The list, as announced by the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, included Olanihun Ajayi, Olabiyi Durojaiye, Titi Filani, Tunde Bakare, Iyabo Anisulowo, Bisi Adegbuyi, Fola Adeola, and the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Kehinde Olugbenle.

According to the governor, Mr. Durojaiye, a  former Senator, is the team leader, while Mr. Ajayi would be the elder statesman to the delegates.

Many of the appointees are known politicians with two of them being vice presidential candidates in the 2011 elections. Mr. Bakare, a pastor, was the running mate of Muhammadu Buhari of the defunct CPC, while Mr. Adeola was the running mate of Nuhu Ribadu of the defunct ACN.

At the presentation of the delegates to journalists at the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Mr. Amosun said they would bring up issues such as the devolution of power, decentralisation of office, fiscal federalism and the unity of the nation.
Responding on behalf of the delegates, Mr. Ajayi said it was important for him and his colleagues to realise that they were going to the Conference to correct the serious error committed by Nigeria’s colonial masters, the British.

The elder statesman remarked on President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech marking Nigeria’s centenary celebration where the president called the 1914 amalgamation of the North and South, a blessing.

“Today, I remember the mistake of 1914. That’s the cause of our problems and that mistake has been with us quite a long time. The problem really and truly is that Nigeria was constructed contrary to political geometry. That is why we have not arrived as a country because if we live together for 100 years and yet there’s no stability, there’s no concord, there’s no harmony, there’s no progress – Those other countries like Brazil, Indian, China and Russia who were in the same bracket as we were in 1960 are now far, far above us and we are far below them, why?,” he asked. “It is because of failure to observe political geometry. But we pray and hope that when we get there, God being our helper, we will, as Nigerians unitedly and in the spirit of give and take, arrive at a solution that will bring peace and progress to this country.”