Rahaman Onike

Yoruba Leadership Question



Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2008

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Yoruba speaking people of the South West geo political region are facing serious leadership challenges as a major ethnic group in Nigeria. Despite the claims that Yoruba are more organized, well educated and politically conscious, as an ethnic nationality, it has failed to produce a universally accepted leader. Even when Obafemi Awolowo was alive, his leadership position was largely contested. The political exigency of the period dictated mass resistance to his hegemonic status. It is on record that the intra and inter-party conflicts of pre-independence political era further reduced the influence of Awolowo in Yoruba politics. What actually assisted Awolowo in playing leadership role were principally oratory, sound intellect, wisdom and support enjoyed from the educational and traditional elites.

Given his religious background and state of origin which is Ikenne in Ogun State, there are some that choose to oppose him throughout his entire life span. Following the death of Awolowo, there was a question regarding the need to recognise another person as a Yoruba leader. It was a period when the struggle for enthronement of democracy was at the peak. To secure the interest of Yoruba nation, Afenifere as a cultural organization was formed. In the process, Late Senator Abraham Adesanya then emerged as the leader of the group.

The emergence of Adesanya as leader of Afenifere consciously or unconsciously catapulted him to the position of Yoruba leader . Although, there were sections of the race that refused to accept his leadership roles. No doubts, Adesanya was equally a brilliant lawyer, highly articulate and committed activist. Next to him was late Bola Ige who was never crowned or pronounced as Yoruba leader. Certainly, Bola Ige was more or less the most heard voice politically during the democratization struggle and early period of democracy in Nigeria among the Yoruba hierarchy.

With the death of Adesanya and Bola Ige, the big question that was being asked was who is best suited as the leader of the Yoruba? Several persons are now scheming and jostling for Yoruba leadership role including those who are incompetence and visionless. Most of these persons do not have any good antecedent to assume the exalted position of Yoruba leader. It is becoming clear and evident as an ethnic nationality we are not well organized. In an ideal setting, leadership should be based on merit. A case of people campaigning for leadership is condemnable because it would only lead to chaos, mediocrity and misrepresentation.

Candidly, leaders are born naturally. One leadership quality that cannot be compromised is charisma. Of equal importance are wisdom, knowledge, patience, vision, sound intellect and clear understanding of Yoruba history. Yoruba leadership transcends issues of religion and politics. The Yoruba traditional rulers need to involve in the process of selecting a leader of Yoruba to lend credence to the whole process.

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