IN what looks like a swipe on the South West Nigeria, Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Aliu Shinkafi, yesterday in Lagos criticised the South West for what he described as “not respecting political alliances”, while challenging them to their disposition
“The Yoruba in particular, have for years faced the challenge of melting into the national political mainstream, while it was true, in my view that the Yoruba needed to reach out politically, I do not think the PDP solution was what they desired.
In my opinion, a much more desirable path was one of a mutually respecting alliance as represented by the AD-APP alliance in 1999, which produced the Falae-Shinkafi presidential ticket. It was that kind of alliance of equals that the reaching-out process deserves, not an all-conquering political solution of fairly dubious method.”
Alhaji Shinkafi spoke at the third annual Senator Abraham Adesanya lecture, organised by Adesanya Foundation.
Shinkafi, who was chairman of the occasion, observed that the Adesanya lecture is gradually becoming a forum to discuss the socio-political problems of Nigeria.
His words: “This lecture series has already established for itself an honoured place in Nigeria national discourse, and many of our compatriots look up to it to benefit from the wisdom and experience that flow so naturally out of it every year.”
While congratulating Senator Adesanya, who recently turned 82 years, on his leadership vision, he challenged him to embrace “the inevitable task of having the show the way, often to a confused national flock.”
The Yoruba race, which he leads, he noted “face numerous challenges of socio, economic and political development for which the path is often difficult to chart.”
The Marafan Sokoto, however, observed that Adesanya risks being misunderstood and represented in charting the course for the future generations of Yoruba.
The occasion was attended by eminent Nigerians. They included; former military head of state, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, communications minister, Chief C.O. Adebayo, chairman of the foundation Alhaji Munir Muse, Senator Waziri Mahmud, Chief Bode George, Pastor Chris Okotie, Alhaji Ganiu Dawodu, Mallam Isa Funta and Chief Dele Momodu, guest lecturer.
