The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi says Yoruba Nation agitators only want fairness and an end to insecurity in their region.
He said it should be noted that when a Yoruba man, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, was president, there were no such agitations.
Ooni Ogunwusi noted that it would be wrong to blame the agitators without sitting down to hear them out.
The traditional ruler also cautioned the agitators to seek the path of dialogue rather than war.
Asked to react to the Yoruba Nation agitation, the revered monarch told Saturday Punch: “You know that is a very sensitive issue. What are the people agitating for? They are agitating for fairness; they are saying what is sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander.
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“The best bet for us is to have one country, but when people are feeling otherwise, there must be reasons they are agitating. Fifteen to 20 years ago, was it like that? When Yoruba people were in power, were there agitations? There must be reasons and we all know the reason has to do with banditry and insecurity.
“Even in the north, some people are also kicking. What is important now is for us to adequately separate the grain from the chaff. I am not going to blame the agitators. There must be a reason why they are agitating.
“I will suggest we talk to them; let’s bring them on board, deliberate with them. Let’s debate. It is very important for us to debate and debate on our corporate existence, for things to be right. It is very critical.
“For me, that is my own approach. Even when you go to war, at the end of the day, you must sit down to negotiate. So, why not have the roundtable discussion now? Why not go through that route? Why must you go through hot agitation and try to destroy things? The best approach has always been the peaceful approach.”