Fully armed with who’s who among the Egbe Afenifere seasoned politicians and think-tank from Nigeria, Chief Adesanya invited Yoruba in the Washington metro area to a Town meeting.  In the company of Chief Bola Ige, Dr. Fasheun, Gov. C.O. Adebayo, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Professor Akinyemi, Hon. Wale Osun, Dr. Amos Akingba, Gen. Alani Akinrinade and other important Afenifere personalities, Senator Adesanya came to Washington to report and consult with the Yoruba people in our community.  Representing the Yoruba Alliance at this meeting were, Mr. Franklin Akinkoye, Mr. Zac Shodiya, Mr. Lateef Amolegbe, Mr. Martin Akindana, Mr. Yinusa Yusuff, Mr. Dapo Amusan, and Mr. Kayode Ojewale.

Professor  Olusegun Gbadegesin, the president of Egbe Omo Yoruba was the Master of ceremonies for this event.  Chief Adesanya, the chairman of NADECO and the elder in the group was given the honor to be the only speaker.  Senator  Adesanya stood up, and with quiet but sober leadership, gave an account of how far they have come as an organization representing the interest of the Yoruba people and how far they need to go.

While he politely insisted that everyone both on the high table and in the general audience to speak Yoruba, he gave a half hour speech with no apology to anyone on the way the Yoruba perceived this transition to democracy.

Chief Adesanya recounted all the difficulties they went through before arriving at where they are now. He mentioned that their focus on the position of the Yoruba is unchanged.  He insisted that Yoruba would not be second to any other tribe in their own motherland.  He said that business as usual of “Monkey dey work and Baboon dey chop”  must come to a permanent end.  He emphasized that the unity of Yoruba will be the bedrock of our success. 

He said he supported Yoruba participation in the Abdulsalami Abubakar transition program because, the Yoruba never wanted to impose themselves on any other group. The only thing we ask is to demand our own rightful position in Nigeria. He recorded tremendous success in the last election against all odds. He said they did not have any money nor the time to be really organized. In spite of all these difficulties, they were able to win election by landslide in all six Yoruba states. Their success in local, state and national offices in the Yoruba states were monumental.

Chief Adesanya refuted this assertion very strongly. He said that Egbe Afenifere is an exclusive Yoruba Organization that caters to the Yoruba interest, not a political party.  He mentioned that Afenifere had existed since late Chief.  Awolowo’s time.  During that era, Action Group (AG) was the party that represented the majority of the Yoruba people.  However, there were other ethnic groups that are non-Yoruba in the former AG Party.   The same could be said for the position of AD in today’s politics.  NADECO is also a national organization that represents all quarters of our society.  He said many are confused with the big success that AD had in the last election in the Yoruba States.  Among other groups that are represented in the AD, only Afenifere was able to deliver their areas in huge numbers in the last election.

On the question of the autonomy of the Yoruba, Dr. Fasheun addressed this sensitive area without hesitation.  He remarked that the Yoruba people were previously running on one leg, and that no one can successfully run on one leg for long.  However, now that we have acquired the second leg, he made it crystal-clear to the amazement of some of the people in the audience that “ the Yoruba maximum self –determination, inside a friendly Nigeria or outside a hostile Nigeria is not negotiable.”  Chief Bola Ige confirmed that Dr. Fasheun was not alone in his defiant attitude regarding the Yoruba participation in the Obasanjo government. He said many moderate Yoruba were in support of participating, because they did not want anyone to blame the Yoruba if this transition fails. Chief Ige concluded  his remark by saying “ Bi omo ba maa ku, ki oku ti owo iya e wa” He also highlighted the importance of unity among the Yoruba as a requirement towards achieving our goals for the Yoruba people everywhere.

On the question of decentralization of the army, Chief Adesanya said it is in the best interest of all Nigerians to be guided and protected by their own people.  It will also make military coups very difficult to stage.  Dr. Aluko asked two questions, one on the Kwara situation regarding their affiliation with the Yoruba people and the second on the change of leadership to the youth within Afenifere group.

Although his question was addressed to both Chief C.O. Adebayo and Chief Opadokun both of Kwara origin, Chief Adesanya insisted on answering the question on their behalf.  He reminded  the audience that the Yoruba in Kwara State and in some part of Kogi State, have been fighting for generations to maintain their affiliation with their Yoruba family outside of those states.  He said their alliance and allegiance are with the Yoruba people, but their struggle continues.

On handing the reign of power to the next generation, he strongly warned that leadership is never given.  It must be earned.  He remarked that many of the people that we were admiring on the high table had sacrificed and spent almost all of their lives working for the common good of the Yoruba people. He confirmed that they all started from their local government to get to where they are today. All it takes is to have a strong desire, the recognition and recommendation of your own people.  Age is irrelevant, he concluded.

Finally, he commented on the question of the formation of a national government by Obansanjo.  Chief Adesanya said that AD would resent it if President Obasanjo picked and chose among AD members  for positions in his administration.  He said AD would be glad to participate in this administration, however, they will like to recommend various members of AD party to Obasanjo in order to maintain a firm party unity.  He recommended the type of government that president Mandela formed when he came to office. Mandela recognized the different achievements each party made during the election and seats in the parliament were awarded accordingly.  He said the bitter experience they had in 1994 has not been forgotten.

After the meeting, everyone had a chance to talk and take pictures with all the Yoruba icons.