Prioritize regional growth over political divides, Fasoranti urges S’west leaders

A Call for Unity and Development in the South-West

Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the National Leader of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has urged state governors in the South-West to unite for the region’s development, regardless of their political affiliations. He emphasized that division along party lines should not hinder the welfare and progress of the people.

This call came during a South-West leaders’ dialogue with officials of the Federal Government, held in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Wednesday. The event was themed “Strengthening Democracy through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future.” Chief Fasoranti, who was represented at the forum by Senator Femi Okunronmu, highlighted the need for Yoruba solidarity and warned against politics that could weaken unity.

He stated:

“Politics must not weaken Yoruba solidarity. Politics has eaten into the fabric of our unity. I witnessed that development projects were stalled because it was initiated by the government of rival political parties. This must end today.”

Fasoranti further emphasized that development and progress should not be tied to partisan affiliations. He called for every leader to recommit to the welfare of the Yorubas, ensuring that quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and basic amenities are available in local communities. These should be included in the manifestoes of all political parties.

He also encouraged leaders to focus on those who have done well rather than competing over party leaders. Gathering like this, he said, gives hope for achieving these goals. Fasoranti urged governors to collaborate for regional development and for ministers from the South West to remember they are representatives of the people, advocating for progress regardless of party leadership.

Regional Summit Addresses Democratic Challenges

The host and Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, described the dialogue as imperative for enabling the region’s leaders to converge and deliberate on issues that would develop the region. He noted that the summit’s theme resonated deeply with the core values of democracy—dialogue, negotiation, and consensus-building.

Aiyedatiwa reflected on the challenges confronting democracy but expressed confidence in its resilience. He mentioned the strengthening of democratic institutions through regular engagement of the people in electoral processes and the resilience of election management bodies.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, remarked that democracy thrives when dialogue is sincere and inclusive. He commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the South West Development Commission, which he believes will fast-track the region’s development. Sanwo-Olu called for support for the commission, emphasizing that it would provide an institutional platform for regional transformation.

Economic Diversification and Regional Transformation

A former Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, described the summit as a renewal of the Yoruba tradition of communal existence and reasoning together before acting. He called on the people of the region to support the transformative agenda of the Tinubu administration, particularly economic diversification.

Akande highlighted that the administration’s reform agenda includes shifting away from oil dependency toward a broad-based, resilient economy. He pointed out that agriculture, the primary river of the economy, is being revitalized through federal and sub-national investments in value chains such as cassava, cocoa, rice, palm oil, poultry, and aquaculture.

Key Attendees at the Summit

The summit brought together several key leaders from the South-West, including:

• Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu
• Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke (represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi)
• Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun (represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele)
• Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji (represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro)
• Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde (represented by his deputy, Mr Bayo Lawal)

Other attendees included:

• Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Olaide Adelami
• Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko
• Coordinating Minister for Finance, Wale Edu
• Minister for Power, Adebayo Adelabu
• Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako
• Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola

Also present were various traditional rulers, including:

• Alafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade
• Olowo of Owo and Chairman, Council of Obas, Ondo State, Oba Ajibade Oguonoye
• Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi
• Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, HRM Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo