A Yoruba socio-cultural and advocacy organization Omoluabi Parapo Conservative Group, has criticized political leaders in the southwest for allegedly prioritizing their personal and political interests above the overall interest of the Yoruba people.
The group equally lamented that the bond between the leaders and the people is broken, declaring that the situation has robbed the region of a clear roadmap for progress as well as lack of a moral compass guiding political participation of the Yoruba people.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the Convener of Omoluabi Parapo Conservative Group, Aderonke Okeleye, lamented that Yorubaland which produced selfless leaders in both the colonial and post-independence era in the country, now parades political leaders who place their personal and economic interests above that of the people.
Okeleye observed that while other regions are consolidating their power and protecting their heritage, Yoruba land has become divided, reactive, and uncertain of its future.
“Our economy is struggling, our youths are disconnected, and our cultural values are eroding”, she pointed out.
Okeleye urged the southwest political leaders to return to the values that made the region great.
She, however, explained that the group is not against any party or politician, rather, it was formed to rebuild the bridge between the people and leadership.
While disclosing that the socio-cultural group drew inspiration from movements such as ‘Egbe Omo Odùduwà’ and ‘Afenifere’, that once stood as the conscience of Yoruba politics and the moral senate that demanded accountability and protected the Yoruba vision, Okeleye stressed that “the group is here to create a disciplined, well-organized platform that will make Yoruba interest a mainstream topic in Nigeria again”.
She added: “We are the new generation — bold, principled, and ready to demand accountability from our leaders. We want a Yoruba land that grows with its people — not one where development is only seen in buildings, while the human soul is left behind.
“Infrastructure is important, but human capacity is the true wealth of a nation. We want our youths empowered, our culture respected, our leaders answerable, and our people united under shared purpose.
“We believe in Nigeria that works — but it must work for everyone, including the Yoruba. We do not seek division; we seek fairness.
We are proud Nigerians, but we must be respected as a distinct people with history, structure, and identity.
Omoluabi Parapo Conservative Group stands for integrity, unity, and progress.
“We are not here to compete; we are here to complete the unfinished work of our ancestors”.
