Coalition of over 60 Yoruba self-determination groups on Tuesday vowed that its support for any political party or presidential candidate would be hinged on restructuring and genuine federalism.

The group under the aegis of Yoruba Self -Determination Advancement Forum (YOSEDAF) comprising of members from Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and their kiths and kins in Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states accused the elites in the region of watering down the democratic ideals of the Yoruba land in the last 19 years.

Convener of the group, Evangelist Kunle Adesokan and Secretary, Mr. Kola Are, stated this in Lagos on Tuesday at a press conference on the position of the group as the 2019 elections approach.

The secretary who addressed the press conference said the present democracy has failed to deliver good governance.

According to him, development has been a fleeting mirage for Nigerians since the country returns to civil rule.

Are stressed that the group would mobilize heavily Yoruba people across board to reaffirm its commitment to fundamental change in their quality of life and support a political party "with a clear and feasible manifesto for restructuring and genuine federalism".

The group is of the opinion that prominent parties in 2015 paid lip service to restructuring.

He said, "Therefore, for any political party and its presidential candidate to enjoy the support of the self- determination platforms and peoples in Yorubaland, a covenant on restructuring and genuine federalism that guarantee minimum autonomy for Yorubaland has become non-negotiable.

"Hence our resolve that Yoruba people will not support a candidate on the basis of promises of bringing about highfalutin change. There must be a clear roadmap with the prospects of delivering on restructuring and federalism worth of the support of our people".

"It is also important that we reiterate our objection to bigotry in leadership. The presidential material that would be acceptable in deepening our democratic quest towards the agenda of restructuring and genuine federalism must be of the pedigree that is broadminded enough in the mould of the legendary MKO Abiola of the June 12 fame."

"It is only a presidential material like MKO that shares the worldview of imbuing capacities of the young and marginalized groups that can restore confidence in the economy and create a new momentum that will trigger emancipation of our people".

•Culled from Daily Trust report

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