Yoruba leaders evolve organically, we just don't queue behind funny characters because they stroke our ego - Olu Adegoke

There is a first lesson every students of War must know by heart "Do not march on Moscow" - Field Marshall Montgomery. Never Invade Moscow. You can never take the city. The Russians will die to the last man than surrender Moscow. Napoleon and Hitler tried it and failed. Every leader must learn the uniquess of a place, the sentiments of its people before making any battle move.

There is something about the Yoruba people as a unique which may not be unique to them anyway, and that is they detest Greek gift and tokenism. Some of my friends have been criticising for resisiting GEJ's attempt at changing the Name of University of Lagos to MKO Abiola University.

It is not hypocrisy as most of you may want to believe or hatred for GEJ that drove the rejection of such gesture. If OBJ had done so, the people would have rejected the offer all the same.

First, we do not want Abiola (a father of modern democracy in Nigeria) to be reduced to a Yoruba hero. He is a national hero. Naming a Federal University in Yoruba territory after him is not national enough.
Second, Nigeria Democracy day should be June 12 and not May 29. Obasanjo is a character who does not recognize others as more important than himself. He wanted the day he was sworn in as the democracy day to spite Abiola - someone whose stature he can never attain. He benefitted from the sacrifice of Abiola; without June 12 and Abiola's sacrifice no one would have elected Obasanjo. We want June 12 to be named a National Holiday and declared MKO Abiola Day.

Finally, we knew GEJ was only patronising the Yoruba because of the election. What major projects did he do for the people of the South West until the June 12 issue came up.

I am not by saying this implying that we are more special than any other group in Nigeria. I am just saying we don't do allow our heart to drive our judgement. OBJ, FFK, Fayose can be the leader of other people, if we doubt your character, we won't queue behind you.

Lest I forget, people should stop calling Tinubu the leader of the Yoruba. Yes, he is a Yoruba leader but he is not the Leader of the Yoruba. That position is not something we give to people because of money or power alone. There are other factors which go into the making of the Leader of the Yoruba. Awolowo, Pa Ajasin, Abraham Adesanya, Bola Ige are respected Yoruba worthy of such honour. A character like Gani Adams, Yinka Odumakin, Okurohunmu do not speak for us.

Our leaders evolve organically and we don't queue behind funny characters just because they stroke our ego or make us feel superior to other.

Olu Adegoke is a social commentator