Seek fiscal discipline, transparency, accountability in governance

A Group of prominent Yoruba leaders, professionals and activists has formed the Omo Oduduwa Collective, a platform of Yoruba men and women drawn from academia, business, the professions, public service, and culture, united by commitment to the future of Yorubaland and Nigeria.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this was made known in a statement, yesterday, in Lagos, jointly signed by the Convener, Prof. Akinyemi Onigbinde; Secretary, Kazeem Olasupo; Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Dele Farotimi, Dr Adeolu Oyekan, Dr Olasunkanmi Olapeju, Samuel Adebisi and Kayode Ogundamisi.

The conveners, in a statement titled “Omo Odùduwà Collective: A Call to Conscience, Justice and National Renewal,” said the group was established by concerned Yoruba men and women drawn from academia, business, the professions, public service, culture and civil society who are committed to the future of Yorubaland and Nigeria.

According to the statement, the collective emerged from what it described as a profound sense of historical responsibility and a conviction that Nigeria has reached a critical stage where citizens must openly discuss the state of the nation and the values needed to shape its future.

The group said the Yoruba people had historically been respected for their commitment to truth, education, democratic engagement, accountability and social progress, noting that criticism has traditionally been regarded as an essential tool for ensuring responsible leadership.

It, however, expressed concerns over what it described as the erosion of those values through a political culture characterised by opportunism, intolerance of dissent, ethnic chauvinism and the normalisation of unaccountable power.

The collective also criticised attempts to portray criticism of government policies as hostility toward the Yoruba people, saying that such a position contradicts the history and political culture of the Yoruba nation, which it said encourages independent thinking and robust debate.

The group, while acknowledging that many of Nigeria’s challenges predate the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, maintained that governments must be held accountable for their policy choices and their impact on citizens.

It noted that millions of Nigerians continue to face severe economic hardship, rising living costs, declining purchasing power, food insecurity, unemployment and uncertainty about the future.

“The issue is not whether reforms are necessary. It is whether those reforms are pursued within a framework that places the welfare of citizens at its centre,” the statement said, adding that economic policies should be assessed by their effect on the lives of ordinary people.

The collective, therefore, urged political leaders to prioritise addressing Nigeria’s challenges rather than focusing on electoral politics.

The group, which called for constitutional restructuring, genuine federalism, devolution of powers, fiscal federalism and greater autonomy for states as essential measures for national stability and development, also called for reforms to the country’s security architecture, including the establishment of constitutionally regulated state police structures to complement existing federal security agencies in tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

It urged the government at all levels to adopt policies that would create jobs, support businesses, stimulate production and restore hope among young Nigerians.

The group further expressed concern over what it described as a growing disconnect between the hardships faced by citizens and the conduct of public officials, calling for greater empathy, fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability in governance.

It also urged anti-corruption agencies to pursue corruption cases impartially and without political considerations.

The collective stressed that it is neither a political party nor an ethnic pressure group, insisting that its objective is to promote a Nigeria founded on justice, fairness, competence, accountability and respect for diversity.

According to the statement, the platform will focus on reflection, dialogue, advocacy, research and civic engagement while working to defend democratic values and strengthen ethical standards in public life.