Yoruba socio-cultural groups operating under the aegis of Apapo Omo Yoruba in Kwara on Thursday advocated restoration of dignity and paraphernalia of Yoruba traditional institutions in IIorin Emirate.
Addressing Journalists in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, the coordinator of the group, High Chief Jayeola Omotoso, Eessa of Jebba, attributed the problems to arbitrary partitioning of the country, which ceded the Yoruba-speaking communities in Kwara under North.
The hitherto ethnic groupings, he said had severed Yoruba groups in Kwara from its source and origin.
“Kwara State, originally created as West Central State in 1967, is a product of the 19 Century Fulani mutiny against Aare Afonja of Ilorin. Presently, it is made up of 16 Local Government Areas of which 12 are Yoruba speaking.
“There is no doubt that Nigeria is on the brink; in order to save it from total collapse, it is hereby strongly recommended that the Federal
government should urgently implement the Recommendations of the 2014 National Conference by returning Nigeria to true federalism as negotiated and agreed to by our founding fathers.
“These should include but not limited to:
(Return to 1963 Constitution as may be modified Boundary adjustment which will return Kwara State to the South-West geo-political zone.
“Establishment of State Police to enhance security Fiscal federalism or resource control etc.
“In respect of Kwara State Government, we emphasize the imperative of: Restoring the dignity, honour and paraphernalia of Yoruba traditional institutions in the so-called Ilorin
Emirate i.e. Asa, Moro, Ilorin West, Ilorin East and Ilorin South by grading and upgrading them like their counterparts in the other Local Governments of the State.
“Implementing without further delay the two subsisting Court judgements already won by the good people of Moro which exclude them from Ilorin Emirate.
“Putting machinery in motion for the immediate creation of Local Council Development Areas with particular reference to Ifelodun, Asa and Moro Local Government Areas which constitute some of the largest Local Councils in the Federation.
