As the race towards the 2019 general elections gather momentum, a pan – Yoruba cultural organisation, Yoruba Youth Forum, has called on their kinsmen, including the apex Yoruba socio- cultural organisation, Afenifere, to be cautious about their involvement in partisan politics.
The YYF said that this became imperative so that none of them would be used as agent of disunity within the Yoruba race.
YYF Chairman, Comrade Abiodun Olusegun Bolarinwa, told our correspondent in an exclusive interview that from what had been happening in the country’s political terrain, especially in the South West, there was the need for all Yoruba organisations to be mindful of what they do, say and their affiliation with politicians who are only concerned about their selfish and personal interest, which at the end of the day could be inimical to the progress, interest and the development of the Yoruba race.
YYF would not want South West youths to blindly support parties that’ll not deliver dividends of democracy
Bolarinwa stated that from what the YYF observed recently, it was discovered that some politicians were using some organisations, especially the youths, to sing the praises of politicians whose interests were in conflict with Yoruba interest, saying this might cause confusion in the region and divide the youth.
He pointed out that youths in Yoruba land should now be very careful to know where they belong, adding that any Yoruba organisation that failed to feel the pulse of the people and go their direction would be regarded as being used by those who do not want the progress of the Yoruba nation.
Bolarinwa pointed out that it had got to a critical stage for all Yoruba sons, daughters and their leaders to work for a common goal that would benefit their people, rather than thinking of their personal benefits alone.
He said in as much as there is freedom of association and speech, “I think we should be vigilant about the situation in the country and be wary of politicians who are only busy on sweet talks without anything to show for the periods they have spent in office, either at the Federal level, as Senators, members of the House of Representatives, ministers and in the state as governors, members of state assemblies,
commissioners
“This is the time that all political parties would want to curry the support of the youths, but we in the YYF, a youth organisation duly recognized by the prime traditional rulers in Yoruba land, would not want the youth in the South West to blindly support political parties that will not serve their interests and deliver dividends of democracy to the land.”
The YYF chairman said that apart from the fact that the YYF backed the restructuring of the country, “we believe as well that Nigerians and the people in the South West should not go for political parties that will only pay lip service to meaningful development and diversification of the economy. We need to develop our infrastructure, Agriculture, create employment, empower the youth to be self-reliant as well as creating an enabling environment for jobs and wealth
creation.”
