The Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has declared that his administration will not relent in its quest and drive to promote unity and progress of the Yoruba race.

Makinde who was represented by his Deputy, Barrister Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal stated this in Akure, the capital of Ondo State on Sunday where the leaders of Afenifere (Yoruba sociopolitical organization) met at the residence of PA Ayo Fasoranti and other Yoruba leaders, stakeholders and Governors were in attendance.

The Deputy Governor while speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting noted that the unity and progress of the Southwest region transcends party affiliations. He added that the unity among the Governors of the region ensured that Amotekun came to limelight and has become effective.

He however reiterated that Oyo remains a PDP State but the State has continued to play leading role in Yoruba land adding that the gathering has nothing to do with politics but oneness of our people.

In his words; “I greet all Yoruba elders and leaders led by our father, PA Ayo Fasoranti, I great Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. My principal, the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde asked me to represent him on the invitation of Afenifere leader.

“Yesterday, the Governor held a reception in honour of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON in Ibadan and it lasted till the wee hours of Sunday morning.

“He sent his apology for not being able to attend the event. More importantly, the Governor said, baba Fasoranti, the leader of Yoruba called him and there was no way he would turned down the invitation of the elder statesman hence, the reason I am here to represent him, so baba, here I am.

“Secondly, since this discourse revolves around Yoruba race, we have our culture and norms, if a child stumbles, he looks ahead but of an elderly stumbles, he looks behind to ascertain what was responsible for the slide.

“In Yoruba land, if Oyo doesn’t get involved in Yoruba affairs, will it be perfect? For this reason, we joined our fellow Yoruba sons and daughters. You would notice that since the inception of Makinde’s administration in 2019, he has been at the fore front of Yoruba unity and progress. Makinde doesn’t joke with issues affecting Yoruba race. He heeds the call of baba Fasoranti and others regularly. He has been playing active roles in Afenifere and other Yoruba sociocultural groups.

“Remember that we belong to different political parties but our common denominator is our race which is (Yoruba). The message I was sent to deliver at this event is that we will continue to support the unity and progress of the Yoruba race.

“Among all the states in the Southwest, when the Southwest Security Network code named ‘Amotekun’ was initiated and to really stabilize the security outfit, Governor Seyi Makinde played leading role that ensured it became a success story today. Meanwhile, among all the six states in our zone, five are controlled by APC while Oyo is the only controlled by PDP, yet the clamour for State Police gave birth to Amotekun and the security outfit has been up to the task.

“Nigeria has an anthem, same as every State, also in Oyo, our anthem is to continue to remain the pacesetting State.”

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