WOLE SOYINKA, at a very obvious risk to his life and against all odds in late 1966 traveled to rendezvous with the then military governor of Nigeria's South East region. This was during the galvanized massive armed preparations for war and secession by the people of the South East of Nigeria,then led by Colonel Odimegwu Ojukwu. Wole Soyinka risk that dangerous trip, through the jungles and beat all the miltary barriers against the trip laid by the federal goverment. Soyinka's visit to Ojukwu in the SE, was to persuade Ojukwu, against his planned secession and thus avoid the impending blood bath and loss of lives by Nigeria in the then threatened Civil War. Wole did this his patroitic duty to Nigeria, to his friend Ojukwu and particularly for the people of the south east, at the risk to his life. Unfortunately, on his return to Nigeria from the trip, he was promptly arrested and jailed by the Nigerian military government, led by General Yakubu Gowon. Wole Soyinka then ended up suffering a two and a half years, solitary confinement for his courageous patroitic act.
TUNDE IDIAGBON shook the world in 1985. He was in Saudi Arabia when the regime of his best friend, his boss Muhammadu Buhari was overthrown. He was declared wanted by the new regime after the regime had arrested Buhari. Saudi Arabia gave Idiagbon immediate asylum without requesting for it but Idiagbon refused, he said "I cannot abandon my friend and ally because of fear of death. I believe in our ideology and mission for Nigeria, I will go back to Nigeria to join Muhammadu Buhari....". After much but futile persuasion, Saudi gave up and Idiagbon travelled back to Nigeria. He landed at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, he received his last salute and gave his own too, he was arrested thereafter. Idiagbon endured the tribulations with Buhari. That is a TYPICAL YORUBA MAN'S ATTITUDE.
OLUSEGUN OBASANJO was in Copenhagen in 1995 when Musa YAR'ADUA was arrested for coup plot which was supposedly planned by both men. Failed coup plot attracts maximum sentence. Denmark offered OBJ asylum, he refused. He couldn't abandon his friend and Deputy in the hand of their accuser. OBJ flew back to Nigeria, he was in prison with YAR'ADUA. He never abandoned his friend at critical moments. That's a TYPICAL YORUBA MAN'S ATTITUDE.
ADEKUNLE FAJUYI in 1966 was hosting Ironsi in Ibadan when his guest was arrested by his assailants, they asked FAJUYI to go in peace but he chose to be arrested and received same judgment passed on his guest as he wouldn't betray his guest. He got exactly what he requested. That is a TYPICAL YORUBA MAN'S ATTITUDE.
MKO ABIOLA returned to Nigeria in 1993 to stand by the masses who were on the streets struggling for the actualisation of June 12. He said "My life is not bigger than those who are constantly attacked on the streets". Abiola could have stayed in America but he came back to join his people in the struggle. That's a TYPICAL YORUBA MAN'S ATTITUDE.
THESE HISTORICALLY, thus SHOW THAT A TYPICAL YORUBA MAN, will NOT abandon his cause, once committed, especially when his people are in trouble. The Yoruba, do Not fight democracy. They defend democracy. They are on record, to have birthed the first person, to handover government as a military man, to a civilian president. They are not only Nigeria's most accommodating people, but also the leading courageous builders of Nigeria. They have remained the pillars that hold Nigeria together, from breaking. They are in the fore front of promoting the oneness of Nigeria and the sanctity of human rights, in Nigeria.
Edited:
Contrary opinions are welcome.
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