New political realities in Kwara State {10} Yoruba speaking communities: specific focus on Ibolo, igboona and Okun communities In part 9, I have identified few things: that Yoruba speaking communities are widespread in Kwara state; that the composition of Kwara is a mixture of different languages and cultures and there is nothing wrong in the present Kwara in term of size and population as far as federal system of government is concern. I have also argued that the answer to the teeming problems of Nigeria and Kwara state is not in further fragmentation through the creation of more states or LGAs. I also argued that the main problem is centred on good leadership which is lacking in Nigeria and indeed Kwara State. I am a strong advocate of integrated system of government for many obvious reasons: reduction in the cost of governance, encourage accountability, enable innovation and competition among integrated units. Presidential system is not and cannot be the answer to Nigeria problems; we need alternative approach which should be home grown rather than imported system from the US, UK or other countries. In part 9, I concluded that “Joining Yoruba secession or regional government by all Yoruba speaking Kwarans will be complicated geographically. The influence of traditional Emir Title, religious and cultural affiliations by Ilorin, Lafiagi etc. with the north will serve as another level of barrier.” In term of system of government for Nigera, regionalism stands out as the most realistic option since complete secession will be hard to sell to the politicians who are the major beneficiaries of the failed presidential system of government. What I will be examining in this part is the consequences of regional system of government on ibolo and Igboona area of kwara state and Okun people of Kogi state. For those who are not familiar with the history of these areas; Ibolo and Igboona people are Yoruba speaking with close cultural affiliation with adjoining states of Oyo, Osun and Ekiti states. These sections of Yoruba communities are at present part of Northern Nigeria while other Yorubas are in the south west of Nigeria. I should also look beyond Kwara state for Yoruba speaking communities to show how complicated the issue is. There is another section of Yorubas in Kogi state known as Kabba/Okun community. Kabba people speak a Yoruba dialect called Owe or Okun. Kabba was formerly part of Kwara state before the creation of Kogi state. Kabba as ibolo and Igbona communities also belong to the northern part of the country. One issue that has come up several times is marginalisation in Kwara state by Ibolo communities. Let us realistically examine the impact of marginalisation on the Yoruba speaking communities of Kwara and Kogi states if they join the nearest Yoruba states under federal system of government? Let us examine the internal politics of Osun and Ekiti state to determine the effect of new entrants. In present Osun state there are towns that are complaining of marginalisation, so what difference would it make if Ibolo and Igboona join Osun or Ekiti State? The establishment of Federal University in Ekiti state required ‘God’s’ intervention before two communities (Oye Ekiti and Ikole Ekiti) agreed on where and what will be situated in their communities. Rivalry is everywhere, therefore the answer is not in more state or LGAs or joining other state because of cultural affiliations. No matter which side we (Ibolo and Igboona) are we need to fight it out ... because the problem is about the calibre of people in power not the system itself. I think we need to give credit to Obasanjo for one and only one thing: he breaks the monopoly and dominance of power by the people of the north-west. There hasn’t been anything like Northern people of Nigeria in terms of equitably power and projects sharing among the states in the northern region. I was listening to Channel TV yesterday when Ribadu was called to give presentation on northern people forum or so. And he started by speaking Hausa for many minutes as if Hausa language is the language of the north. What we have had for 40 years was the pretence of many states to be part of the north and not really benefiting anything from it. As I have said OBJ crated six geo-political zones which in a way to redress these abnormalities. Kwara is now part of north central which include: Niger, Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Nassarawa and the Federal Capital Territory. The Yoruba speaking is zone to south west: Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Ondo and Osun State. There is nothing wrong with Nigeria except the politicians are not making it to work. And because of polarisation people are not ready to challenge the tiers of government. Yes, I am a staunch supporter of regionalism because it will bring about competition and reduce cost of governance. But as I have said times without number, there is no region in Nigeria that is not viable if good people can be elected to run their affairs. No matter where Kwara state falls into (North central or south west) in theory will not make much difference. Kogi state is not different from Kwara and most Nigerian states are mixture of different people and culture. Even the predominant Yoruba state like Osun is a mixture of different Yoruba dialets; Ife, Ijesha, oyo dialects. People in Ondo state cannot understand each other when they speak in their local dialects: Ondo town, Owo, Ikare etc. have completely different dialects. One thing that bring Yorubas together even with different dialects is their common understanding of OYO Yoruba. That in itself is unique. The question in the final part (hopefully it will be the final part) is which zone is more beneficial for the Yoruba speaking communities of Kwara and Kogi states - their present zone - north central zone or south west zone where they have language and cultural affiliations. Goodnight and have a wonderful weekend.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:03:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015