Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams has said the conduct of 2023 general election leaves so much to be desired.
Adams flayed politicians for whipping up ethnic sentiment and failing to abide by the rules of the electoral process.
The founder of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, also urged all Yorubas, elders, monarchs, socio-cultural groups, etc., to look beyond politics and strengthen the bond of unity.
A statement the Yoruba One Voice (YOV) issued on Monday said Adams addressed a virtual international conference attended by participants from six continents.
At the conference themed “Decolonizing Yoruba land: Speak up, speak out”, Adams stressed that the struggle for decolonization of ancestral land must be a collective effort.
The Grand Patron of the diaspora organization urged the indigenes to “wake up from their slumber and take their pride of place among other races in the world”.
Iba Adams maintained that the Yorubas are where they are currently “because they lost touch with the core values that are key to the progress of our race”.
The high chief said although the people have unique culture, tradition, language, dressing, food, among others, civilization came and slowed down “the glory”.
“Our language, culture and tradition have gone into extinction. The religious institution has also failed to re-invent the true gospel of God.
“The political class has done everything to divide us along political lines and politicians have failed to play by the rules,” he fumed.
On the general elections, Adams said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu are facing global condemnation for failing to ensure smooth conduct.
The traditional leader noted that the failure of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, to transmit election results electronically betrayed the hope and trust of Nigerians.
“The electoral umpire organized the worst election in the history of Nigeria. The entire system is mired in distrust; we continue to witness untoward happenings across the country,” Adams added.
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