Yoruba nation must embrace unity, says Bisi Akande at Fasoranti’s centenary

Former Osun State Governor and founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebisi Akande, has called on Yoruba people to embrace greater unity and collective responsibility to strengthen the political and cultural future of the region.

Akande made the call in a statement commemorating the 100th birthday of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, describing him as a symbol of discipline, moral clarity and commitment to Yoruba ideals.

He noted that Fasoranti’s life provides an opportunity for reflection on the challenges confronting the Yoruba nation, particularly the recurring issue of internal disunity.

The former governor traced political divisions among Yoruba leaders from the collapse of the old Oyo Empire to the crises of the First Republic, the June 12 struggle and political realignments in the Fourth Republic.

According to him, disagreements among Yoruba political actors had repeatedly weakened the region’s collective strength at critical national moments.

“History has shown that the Yoruba are capable of unity, but often in response to crisis. The greater challenge is whether unity can be sustained in moments when the pressures are less visible but no less significant,” Akande said.

He expressed concern that partisan interests, ideological differences and weakening cultural values were threatening cohesion among Yoruba people, while tensions within traditional institutions had also reflected broader societal divisions.

Akande, however, said the emergence of President Bola Tinubu presents a rare opportunity for the Yoruba nation to align regional cohesion with national influence, urging political leaders to embrace cooperation, restraint and maturity instead of “zero-sum competition.”