Special Adviser on Niger Delta and Chairman, Committee on Amnesty
Programme, Kingsley Kuku, to two Yoruba pressure organisations, the
Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Group (COSEG) has warned all
Yoruba groups against signing any pact that would be against the
interest of the race.
In a statement signed by the group's Chairman and Secretary, Dayo
Ogunlana and Razaq Olokooba respectively, at the end of its leadership
meeting in Lagos yesterday, COSEG said: "The interest of the race must
be paramount in the minds of all Yoruba sons and daughters," warning
that "any attempt to undermine, jeopardize or compromise Yoruba
collective interest will be vehemently resisted."
Besides, COSEG advised Yoruba politicians and other pressure
organizations to be wary of activities and maneuverings of their
colleagues from the other regions towards undermining the unity and
cohesiveness of the race.
According to the statement, "the interest of our race must overshadow
all the inter and intra-party crises that were tearing the country
apart," condemning that supposed pacts signed on behalf of Yoruba by
some political gladiators without considering the negative implication
on the wellbeing of the race.
"As the representatives of the Yoruba people, we are of the conviction
that some activities of other regions are hindering our development,
growth and progress and also holding us down," the statement said,
wondering "why anybody can deem it sensible to sign pacts with such
people."
Recall that on Tuesday, Kuku visited the National Coordinator of the
Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams in his Lagos home.
A top presidency source told Daily Sun on condition of anonymity that
the visit was part of the long term plan to seek the support of all
major opinion leaders in the South-West.
He said President Jonathan mindful of the importance of the South-West
to his re-election ambition and was determined to sustain a plan to
secure the support of the zone in 2015.
But Kuku said his visit to Otunba Adams was a private one which had
nothing to do with President Jonathan's 2015 ambition.
Kuku, who wore a white brocade just like his host, Adams, prayed that
Nigerians would not read political meanings into the visit.
"But as a public officer, you must be ready at all times to let the
public know what you are doing. I have come for a very friendly and
not formal visit. I have come to visit my brother and I want Nigerians
not to read political gimmicks into the visit.
"Gani Adams is from Ondo State and I am also from Ondo State. We are
brothers. For a very long time, I have not seen him. I saw him last
when we were putting together the Nigerian mass movement struggles.
The fact that today, I am in government serving the Nigerian people as
special adviser to the president on the Niger Delta does not distort
the fact that Otunba Gani Adams and I share a few ideological issues
together," he said.
"Ideology has bonded us. State has bonded us and generational age has
bonded us. The visit is never political. It is a family visit
"We are not discussing 2015 here. If anything like 2015 is going to
bond us, it might still be on ideology," he said.
Speaking during the visit, Otunba Adams, who also said the visit did
not have any political undertone, recalled his long standing
relationship with Kuku.
"Our meeting has nothing to do with 2015 but just private and personal issues.
Kuku has done a lot in the Niger Delta and the Amnesty programme. This
is especially by bringing peace and tranquility to the Niger Delta.
On 2015 general election, he said President Jonathan had a right to
seek re-election in 2015.
"Mr. President is the commander in-chief of the Armed Forces and
president of Nigeria. He is my leader and the president of the country
whether you like it or not.
"As a Yoruba person, we believe in the constitution and that things
should be done right. The constitution says that you have a right to
contest for two terms. The president has a right to contest for a
second term and there is no doubt about that," he said.
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