In a conversation with DANIEL AYANTOYE, Jamiu Abiola, the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice-President, discusses the declaration for a sovereign nation of the Yoruba people by his late father’s widow, Modupe Onitiri-Abiola.
Regarding the calls for a sovereign Yoruba nation, what is your perspective on this issue?
Such demands are not uncommon in countries as vast and diverse as Nigeria. Similar sentiments exist even in the United States where some do not support the country’s union for various reasons. However, like in the United States, these individuals are a minority in Nigeria and their impact is negligible.
Your late father’s widow, Modupe Onitiri-Abiola, recently proclaimed the Yoruba Nation in a widely circulated video. How do you respond to this?
I became aware of her statement, and like most Nigerians, I did not take her declaration seriously. I have never crossed paths with her, let alone understand her intentions. However, the significant matter is not about her actions.
Why have you not met her despite her claims of being a relation?
My father had four official wives in addition to other women considered as wives. He was inclined to supporting and providing for as many people as possible. Therefore, he saw certain relationships as a means to achieve that. Following his passing many years ago, it is unreasonable to expect every member of his family to uphold his beliefs. Nonetheless, the majority of the Abiola family are champions of the values he upheld, and I take pride in stating this.
There were allegations linking her to the invasion of the Oyo State Secretariat. What is your stance on this matter?
Investigations are currently underway. Therefore, I prefer not to comment extensively on this issue until the investigations are concluded. It is a delicate subject. Despite not regarding the woman as my stepmother, the fact that she bears my father’s name is distressing considering her actions. If my father were alive today, he would have been deeply saddened by this incident. He cherished the unity of this country immensely and would have even sacrificed his presidential mandate to preserve it if necessary.
Aren’t you worried that her decision to announce the Yoruba Nation could be perceived as the stance of the MKO Abiola family?
In terms of Nigeria’s unity, many are aware of my father’s steadfast belief in it. Even during his imprisonment, he never advocated for the division of Nigeria. Consequently, I believe that no member of the Abiola family has the right to advocate for the country’s division, especially now. If my father were alive today, he would have been delighted by the actions of his closest and highly capable ally, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is carrying out the tasks he would have if he had executed his mandate.
Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, and our patriarch sacrificed his life to uphold a democratic mandate endorsed by all Nigerians, demonstrating his belief in their unity. It is regrettable that someone would exploit his name to advance the breakup of this country. This woman acted independently without any support.
One of your brothers contested against President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general election. Does this not suggest discord within the Abiola family regarding President Tinubu’s mandate?
During the struggle, some family members betrayed the cause by seeking favor from General (Sani) Abacha for personal gain. They made life intolerable for my mother and aggravated her final days. Similarly, in the recent election, a family member took the unexpected step of running against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Despite knowing President Tinubu’s strong ties to our family, this member defied familial allegiance, much like the woman proclaiming a Yoruba nation.
Most of our family members are dutiful and earnest individuals, yet there is a matriarch, Alhaja Adebisi Abiola, who upholds my father’s legacy and safeguards his name since the passing of Alhaja Simbiat Abiola and my mother, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. Another influential figure in our family is Mrs. Lola Abiola-Edewor, the eldest Abiola offspring and a seasoned politician turned financial expert, having served in the House of Representatives and the NDIC.
You mentioned that Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola declared the Yoruba nation without any support from Abiola family members. Would the family be indifferent if she were arrested?
While the family would naturally be concerned about the arrest of anyone bearing its name, we are law-abiding citizens who believe in the due process of law. We acknowledge that authorities have the prerogative to pardon or not after the completion of investigations and issuance of a verdict.
There have been claims of treason regarding her actions. Are you apprehensive about the implications?
Such questions should be posed post the investigation process.
How is the family dynamics following her declaration?
As aforementioned, the family does not endorse her declaration in any manner. No rational Abiola would advocate for the division of a country like Nigeria. Both my father and mother sacrificed their lives for its unity and progress. In this family, we believe that Nigeria has a divine purpose that can solely be realized through unity. Every individual related to my father considers Nigeria’s unity sacrosanct.
He (MKO Abiola) received over 200 traditional honors nationwide, invested extensively across the country, and empowered individuals from all backgrounds, irrespective of ethnicity or religion. Ultimately, his efforts bore fruit in the 1993 election. Despite his presidential ticket being Muslim/Muslim with a northern running mate, he garnered almost half of the southeastern votes, a notable achievement given his opponent’s running mate from the southeastern Christian community and former head of the defunct Biafran Central Bank.
The agitation for Yoruba nation has subsided since President Tinubu’s emergence. Nonetheless, some attribute this agitation to the unfair distribution of the nation’s resources. How do you respond to such claims?
Discussions on resource allocation continue, andIt is crucial to understand that advocating for a country’s disintegration based on hardship should never be justified. The true strength of Nigeria lies in the diverse capabilities and talents of its people. Just like how Japan leveraged the resourcefulness of its citizens to become an economic powerhouse and drive the rapid development of other Asian countries, Nigerians should focus on harnessing human potential rather than just mineral resources. While arguments may be made in favor of secession, the unity of Nigerians who believe in the country far outweighs those calling for disintegration.
Could the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerians due to Tinubu-led government policies push pro-breakup advocates towards Nigeria’s disintegration?
Reflecting on the hardships caused by government policies, I am reminded of my childhood experiences. When I had malaria, I would resist the necessary treatment like getting an injection. Despite the initial discomfort, the treatment eventually led to improvement. Similarly, Nigeria may undergo short-term struggles due to certain policies, but in the long run, these measures could bring about significant economic progress that people will appreciate.
Labor unions have suggested a new minimum wage of over N615,000, with some expressing doubts about its feasibility. What is your opinion on this matter?
While I cannot provide a definitive answer, it is evident that President Tinubu values Nigerian workers and aims to ensure they receive fair wages within the government’s financial constraints. Balancing workers’ compensation with crucial sectors such as security, education, health, and infrastructure remains a priority for the government.