Ahead of 2023 general election, a concerned Yagba Citizens Forum (CYCF), a group of political stakeholders in Yagba Federal Constituency, Kogi State is set to regroup.
The forum in a statement on through its Convener, Chief Frank Aiyedun on behalf of the “Silent Majority of Yagba People”, will meet on a date soon to be announced in Isanlu to refocus Yagba people’s position in the scheme of things in Okunland, Kogi State and Nigeria.
In apparent reference to the issue of Senate of Kogi West Senatorial District which has continued to elude Yagba Federal Constituency since 2015 when the area was supposed to have had its turn after Lokoja/Kotonkarfe and Kabba-Bunu-Ijumu, the statement said the body was disturbed that Yagba was made to occupy a subordinate position in the affairs of Okunland, a situation that must be reversed to return Yagba to its “rightful leadership position in the Okun polity”.
The statement read in part: “You will recollect, that just before the formation of the present political parties series of round-table civic receptions were held to ensure that Yagba attained it’s rightful place among our neighbouring communities in Okunland and indeed the country as a whole.You will agree with me also that, among the communique arrived at were as follows that.
“(A) The body feels highly disturbed and sad that Yagba is made to occupy a subordinate position in most affairs of Okunland. The situation has even degenerated so much that we find ourselves, politically, an appendage of much smaller but more active neighbouring communities. (B) The body feels this sad situation should be reversed without further delay. Yagba should occupy it’s rightful leadership position in the polity of Okunland. (C) This forum’s roles are not in anyway opposed to the ideas of progressive unions, Development Associations, solidarity movements etc, in our areas, rather they should be regarded as complementary. Infact this non-partisan political forum roles are not in anyway opposed to the ideas of these Associations, rather they should be regarded as complementary. It is part of our objectives to even ensure that they are most effective.
“You are not unaware of the ongoing division and polarization among our people of Yagba, and these, to our mind, should be a source of concern to every well-meaning Yagba person. At no time in the past had so much blackmail, insult, conflict and intrigue characterized the interpersonal relationships among Yagba people as it is happening now.
“All these are the direct results of the request for political freelancing in the ongoing political activities. In Government service, our people are still being eliminated for one reason or the other. New persons are being denied entrance.
“Arising from above, is the fact that Yagba as a people is no longer capable of presenting a common front for her development and to discuss issues affecting our future and interest within the context of Okun Unity. This is due to nothing but infiltration from outside of the utmost unity, already well-cemented in Yagbaland.
“This must not happen! We must arrest the situation now. We must come together in a common front for the interest of our people. Under no circumstances must we place ourselves (Yagba people ) in a situation where the interests of few individuals within or outside Yagba, subvert or stand as a clog in the wheel of achieving the collective interest of our people.
“After widespread consultations, and for the reasons stated above, we have decided that in the political, economic and social interests of the Yagba people there is the need for us to resuscitate Concerned Yagba Citizen’s Forum as a matter of urgency.
“Considering the above, we need to sit down together again irrespective of our political leanings and discuss the communique, and map out another way forward, if need be. We have to put ego behind and talk, because we are one family. We must put our acts together towards building Yagba to greatness. We need to re-group, re- organise ourselves. Your voice should be cleared, loud and unique in speaking the truth, no matter whose ox is gored. No single saint among us! We have problems and it is all of us or majority of us can sit together and solve them. You can not stand on the fence, you either come in or fall out, So it takes holders of good will and character to intervene, rescue or to avert further calamities. We believe that keeping mute or staying away will not safe us. Brother’s and sisters, I have come on a rescue mission and you know I can’t do it alone or without you. In fact, ours must be a mass movement to set Yagba free. Now is the time to stand up, to be counted and for liberty and freedom. Let us shelve our pride and lead by example. Fellow Stakeholders of our great “Movement”, it is a task that must be done by you and me”.
