Fayemi: Those calling for secession of south-west doing so out of frustration

Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, says those calling for the secession of the south-west states from Nigeria are doing so out of frustration.

Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, a self-acclaimed Yoruba activist, had last week declared the Yoruba as a separate nation and demanded the secession of the south-west states from Nigeria.

Commenting on Monday, Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, said his state will not secede from Nigeria, adding that the advocates of Oduduwa Republic are politicians who lost out on power.

He said no part of Ondo state will permit any gathering or agitation which may suggest that the people are in support of what he termed “unthinking rabble-rousing”.

Expressing his view on the matter in an interview with Arise Television on Tuesday, Fayemi said irrational responses are expected when the society is agitated.

“Frankly, when you have stress and laxity in society, you’re bound to find a whole range of responses. Some rational, some irrational, some that speaks to the fears that people, some opportunistic and harebrained. There’s no question that some of the reactions we’ve seen will fall into all of those categories,” he said.

The governor said he is optimistic that the country will overcome its challenges, adding that those calling for secession are doing so out of frustration.

He also said the government may need to look into better ways of managing diversity in the country.

“I have gone on record to say that I have unfailing optimism that in spite of all our challenges, this country will triumph and we’ll survive current challenges. We as leaders must focus on the goal of protecting lives and property, and focus on safety and security as the primary responsibility that we have,” he said.

“The people who are talking about secession frankly, some of them are doing it out of frustration. I don’t think that’s the solution to the Nigerian predicament right now.

“In matters of economic development, we may need to begin to look at other ways of managing diversity and difference in our country and that devolution of power is an idea whose time has come.”