0
0
By Olalekan Badmus (Phoenix)
Self-determination is a principle backed by international law. This principle however, does not state how the decision is to be made, neither does it state what the outcome should be, whether it be independence, federation, protection, autonomy or full assimilation. The internationally recognized right to self-determination does not include a right to an independent state for every ethnic group or region within a formal territory.
While the rights of the minorities and indigenous people who are denied political participation in representative democracy thereby suffering systematic violations of human right as a group is greatly acknowledged, no right to secession is recognized under this international law.
Following his announcement of his fourteen points propositions on January 8, 1918 during the peace negotiations to end World War 1, WOODROW WILSON, the 28th President of the United States, famously stated on 11 February 1918: “National aspirations must be respected; people may now be dominated and governed only by their own consent.”
WOODROW, who led the American people into the World War 1 in 1927 was an ethnic self determination champion, a segregational leader who authorized widespread imposition of segregation inside the federal bureaucracy clearly recognized that only the people have the power to consent to who should govern them. A right that birthed democracy.
During the World War II, WOODROW principle: “Self-determination is not a mere phrase. It is an imperative principle of action, which statesmen will henceforth ignore at their peril.” was included in the Atlantic Charter, jointly declared on 14 August 1941 by the President of the United States and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The right to self determination is considered difficult to implement for many reasons. There are multiple interpretations of what constitutes a group of people and which groups may legitimately claim right to self determination. Also, how do this group represent the interest of the entire community, region or ethnicity.
The Yoruba people of South Western Nigeria have carved a unique identity, deeply rooted to its traditions and cultural pride. This has created a sense of history that established common interest among different Yoruba sub-groups in form of pan-Yoruba interest which forms the basis for the people’s imagination of a nation.
The resurgence of the Yoruba Nation Agitation has awakened decades long tensions and memories that span many generations. Just like other agitations for self determination from different ethnic groups in the past, which arises from feeling of segregation and seclusion, the agitation for Yoruba Nation which began about two decades ago has gathered momentum in recent times.
The failed attempt to hoist the Yoruba Nation flag in Oyo State government secretariat, Ibadan, few days ago, signals an imminent threat to the sovereignty and unity of Nigeria. However, the responses to this deliberate attack on constituted authority has been swift and commendable. The government at the National and subnational level in the region has sent a decisive signal to the main actors to desist or be destroyed.
The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu was unequivocal in his commitment to the unity of Nigeria. In his statement regarding the incident, the President declared that he is “irrevocably committed to the unity of Nigeria and constitutional democracy.” He further affirmed that “constitutional democracy has been reflected greatly here since we assume office”, referring to his tenure as the President of the most populous black nation.
This statement by the President, made right in the presence of the leaders of the Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organization, Afenifere, underscores the principle of democracy that state that “people should be allowed to be dominated and governed only by their own consent”. This was affirmed by the outcome of the February 2023 presidential election that returned President Tinubu as the 16th President of Nigeria as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Oyo State Government described the incident by the self-acclaimed Yoruba Nation agitators as an act of terrorism and a treasonable offense while the Police has since assured that the perpetrators, now apprehended, will be facing charges for treasonable felony.
Reacting, the Osun state government also called for rededication to the ideals of a United Nigeria with ongoing constitutional amendment to ensure a truly federal system in Nigeria, while also directing security mobilization around government structures in the state to forestall any occurrence of takeover by suspected Yoruba nation activists and their apologists.
President Tinubu, who originated from the South Western region now faces a daunting but not so difficult task of ensuring and preserving unity among different ethnic groups; communities; sub-nationals in the south western region and across Nigeria.
The popular Yoruba self-determination movement, led by Prof. Banji Akintoye and Chief Sunday Igboho has since distanced themselves and the movement from the actions of the perpetrators of the Oyo state government house incident, an act which rightly drew commendable applause from people of the region and the government.
Also, one notable group, the Oduduwa Development Initiative, through their national president, Akinyele Olasunbo, while also condemning the ugly incident, called for the cessation of the Yoruba Nation agitation. Akinyele expressed the need for collective efforts to move Nigeria forward under the leadership of one of the greatest ambassador of the region, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Despite distancing themselves and the Yoruba self-determination movement from the Ibadan incident, Prof. Banji Akintoye and Chief Sunday Igboho has formally written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, seeking a peaceful breakaway of Yoruba people from Nigeria.
According to them, this call was made “on behalf of many millions of Yoruba people at home in Yorubaland in Nigeria and in the Yoruba Diaspora in almost all countries across the world”.
It is now obvious that this is not going away, not anytime soon. Whether this call is genuine and reflective of the will of the Yoruba people remains largely unseen and highly doubtful, but there must be an intentional approach to stem the tide of these divisive agitation.
The President must prioritize engagement among the people, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political class and elites in the south western region without compromising the overall unity of the country.
As whispered in many quarters and rightly so, the call for self determination, however legitimate, must be done with full respect for the peace and stability of Nigeria. No group is empowered by law to truncate democratic order under whatever form or guise.
The few that has gathered to agitate on behalf of the supposed millions of Yoruba people home and abroad must respect the decision of other millions of Yoruba people both home and abroad to still believe in the unity of Nigeria and allow them to continue to play their role to sustain this unity.
More importantly, this agitation must be done with peaceful dialogue and mutual understanding and corporation in a way that ensures that the Yoruba people as a group are not seen as enemy of one the nation. The government owes a sense of responsibility to uphold the of rule of law and order while the agitators must accept and respect decision of fellow stakeholders in the region to champion the cause of one Nigeria.
Olalekan Badmus (Phoenix) writes from Osogbo, Osun State and can be reached on basletp2@gmail.com.
Average Rating