Protocols:
I want to first of all congratulate every member of the Obidient Movement in the South West for this first ever convergence of the movement in the zone. I equally want to congratulate Dr. Yunusa Tanko led national leadership of the movement . Congratulations on this miles stone achievement.
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| Sir Dele Abiola in the middle |
However, my message to us all in the South West and beyond is that there are tremendous and inexcustable histories on our side . When I say history, I do not mean history of slavery and colonialism as many usually alluded our history to such an infringement which were perpetrated against our land and our fore fathers which the global community has not properly addressed till date
By our history, I mean how our forebears conquered this once forests region of West Africa. I mean how our ancient ancestors came down here and through shared determination, perceiverance and persiverance and how through their resilient Spirits faced wild animals and dangerous reptiles, how against all forms of entanglement developed different tools that enable them to turned the forests to hamlets, villages and towns. They built an ever growing metropolitan cities and kingdoms of notes which metamorphoused into an empires, even without any external contribution or support, instead, foreigners visited here intermittently to learn the true arts of good governance and orderliness.
Such a history of courage, valour and foresightedness in leadership abound in all parts of this country and the entire African continent as I am too certain that though our gathering here today is tagged South West, but people from different parts of the country are here and are well represented. Therefore, as I may want to make reference to the Ancient Oyo Empire here in the South West, we can also talk of the flourished Seven Independent Housa City States of Rano, Kano, Gobir, Biram, Daura, Katsina and Zaria. If we want to turn to the east, then we will have to talk of the memorable Acephalous or Egalitarian Igbo society where different age grades played pivotal roles in community development.
Coming home to the Old Oyo Empire, there were orderliness and developments, insecurities were tamed to a halt, there was no hunger, food security was second to none as they produced what they were eaten then and they flourished beyond measure.
We are the children and descendants of those who developed an advanced system of governance of their times. The people of other races visited here to learned and copied from. (For instance, British Monarchial system is just a version of the Yoruba Traditional Monarchial system. History has it that they came here in the earliest century to observe Yoruba Political system. They were given "Thrown and Crown of authority around 10th century which are still among the most treasured assets in the king's palace in London till date.)
Our fore fathers' advanced governance thrived effectively for many centuries before it crumbled before those with advanced weapons as a result of internal strives and sabotage. Hence the fall of the empire, hence slavery, succeeded by colonialism. Hence Independent struggles by our heroes, hence why we are here today. The challenge is that since independence in 1960, the country has moved from one pogrom to another which I will not be able to itemized one after the other here. And that more than ever before, the country Nigeria is sliding the more into anarchy. Lives have become worst and very cheap and nasty . Death , kidnaping and all forms of terrorism are the first class citizens of our land as Fear and panicking rules from North to South, East to West. People now Caged.
I dare to tell us all and every Nigerian where ever they may be or they may have run to, as they may have opportunity to hear my message that Messiahs of our land are not coming from any elsewhere but certainly we are the Messiahs that must rise against all odds just like our fathers against wild beasts and reptiles of the forests, create a New Nigeria of our dreams, an inheritance we can bequest to our children and yet unborn generations to come.
Finally, our efforts in 2023 elections were very great and tremendous but not enough to make our votes count, not enough to place the control of the government on our laps. We need to do more and should dare to do more. To mobilise polling unit by polling unit, to vote and ensure our votes count this time around. We must not give in to any intimidation and threats, our goals , aims and objectives are not against any known law. They are legal and are meant to deepening the core Democratic values, promote Egalitarianism which are core values and principles upon which this country was founded. A New Nigeria is Possible!
Dele Abiola
Member, Supporting Adversary Council, Obidient Movement
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