One year after Yinka Odumakin’s death, SW leaders renew call for restructuring

South West leaders have again renewed calls for the restructuring of the country, urging the Federal Government to do so before the 2023 general elections.

The South West leaders made the call on Friday at the first Comrade Yinka Odumakin lecture and book presentation in honour of the late human rights activist and National Publicity Secretary of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, who died last year.

Speaking at the the event, Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said that without constitutional change, elections in the country would continue to be an exercise in futility.

He also noted that since Odumakin’s death, Afenifere has not been able to find a worthy replacement as National Publicity Secretary.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, who was the guest speaker at the occasion, called for the restoration of true federalism to continue the battle for a new Nigeria anchored on justice and fairness as the struggle for restructuring is for freedom.

He also commended Lagos State Government for showing leadership and championing true federalism through legal means by getting laudable judgement against the Federal

Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, also said Nigeria can only get its acts together with restructuring, adding that the current constitutional arrangements was faulty and nothing could change with the 1999 Constitution foisted on Nigeria and Nigerians by the regime of General Abdulsalam Abubakar.

“The struggle for restructuring is the struggle for freedom. The challenge for the people that gathered here today is purely of a new Nigeria anchored on justice and fairness. This is the best way to immortalise Yinka Odumakin,” he said.

He also commended the wife of the deceased, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin for writing the 110 pages book on the life and times of her husband and for establishing the Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation in his memory.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu also expressed his support for true federalism and said the Lagos State Government has done a lot of things legally to ensure true federalism in Nigeria, adding that the State Government will advance the course by instructing the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to do more.

Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said Odumakin is being celebrated today as a result of “his loyalty to a course that he believed in; loyalty to freedom, unity and everything that would make the common man have peace and enjoy everything that he is supposed to enjoy in Nigeria.” 

He also expressed Lagos State Government support for the Oluyinka Odumakin Foundation set up to immortalise the late National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere.

“Lagos is simply a victim of its success. That everybody is coming to Lagos everyday shows that there is security in Lagos. We have done a lot of things legally to be able to get to where we are in terms of true federalism and whatever we need to do to advance the course, I will take the message to Governor Sanwo-Olu and he will instruct the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to do whatever we can do to advance this course.

“I know we are doing a lot talking about true federalism, State Police and all of that. We are going to push through so that whatever we can do for us to keep Lagos safe for other states to really look at what we are doing in Lagos, we will do,” the Governor said. 

In her remarks, Okei-Odumakin reiterated her pledge and commitment to continue the struggle and ideals of her late husband and urged the government to do a lot more in ensuring the health and security of the people.

She also appreciated people for their love and support since the demise of her husband.