Chief Olu Falae, Former Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG) says Yorubaland Has Been The Glue That Holds Nigeria.
Falae, who spoke in a Vanguard interview, added that the South-West has invested so much into Nigeria’s unity to pursue secession.
He said this explains why the South-West geopolitical zone is frequented the most by people of other zones whenever their zones are in crisis.
The elder statesman said,
“We have invested, perhaps, more than most groups in Nigeria. To prove my point, if there is a crisis in the East today, where do people rush to? The South-West. If there is a crisis in the North, where will they run to? The South-West.
“This is the refugee camp of Nigeria. This is where everybody is welcome, accepted and looked after. That is the investment of peace we have been making from time immemorial.
“Yorubaland has been the glue that holds Nigeria. If the South-West says it wants to secede, the Middle-Belt will fight us because they see Yoruba as the cement that holds Nigeria.
“During the Civil War, when the Igbo went home, Governor Mobolaji Johnson looked after their property for them. Rents were in the banks. When they returned, their money was given to them to start life all over again.
“That is a fact. But the property they left in Port Harcourt was taken over by their neighbours. It took several years before some of them were returned to the owners.
“We have demonstrated that we are the most accommodating; we are the cementing culture in Nigeria. So, there is no way we can secede. This is our home.”
Meanwhile, Chief Olu Falae emphasised the importance of restructuring the nation, saying it would address many of Nigeria’s current challenges.
He flayed those accusing Yorubaland of plotting secession with the establishment of Amotekun, the regional security network in the South-West zone.
