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The Yusuph Olaniyonu's piece on the above is thought provoking, blunt and incisive. It shows an in-depth analysis of happenings within a body that has saddled itself with the responsibility of being the soul and mouth -piece of the Yorubas in the last 15 years.

I salute Olaniyonu, not only for his ability to recall very vividly the history of political destruction of Yorubas first eleven in the past, but also for his candor, courage and boldness in describing the event the way it is.

Rather than concern itself with Olu Falae romance with IBB, I think that Afenifere/AD leadership should be bothered with how to regain the southwest states already in the firm grip of the ruling PDP. They should also be mindful of the fact that it was similar circumstance of annihilation and destruction of their key members that ensured the "victory" of the PDP in the southwest. I doubt if the PDP even with its huge resource base and awesome political machinery could even win a state in the south west if Uncle Bola Ige were to be living.

Though a tree does not make a forest, Bola Ige would have made a lot of difference. He had in abundance the political pedigree and sagacity to do that.

Alhaji Kayode Jakande, one of the political gladiators of the Second Republic and Chief Ebenezer Babatope had both been politically consigned to the dustbin of history.

As Yusuph Olaniyonu succinctly put it, it seems the next man to be dragged to the sacrificial court is Chief Olu Falae. But something drums it into my ears that this looks an impossible enterprise to embark upon by Afenifere.

Chief Olu Falae was a key member of IBB regime way back in the 80s. He was also one of his confidants. In Year 2003, it is naive, highly unreasonable and a political mis-calculation for the Afenifere leadership to prevent him from fraternizing with IBB, more so when the constitution spelt it out clearly the freedom of interaction and association. Also, Afenifere leadership should be mindful of the fact that besides Olu Falae, they don't have moral justification to stop anyone from exercising his fundamental right of associating with any individual or group of individuals. The beauty of democracy is that any individual can align himself with anybody he feels or he thinks likes him.

If Afenifere/AD leadership truly loves Yoruba race, the time has come for them to put aside sentiment, parochialism and unnecessary arrogation so much powers to themselves.Their primary task now is to mend fences, rebuild all the crumbled relationship, cement the crack wall with a view to present a formidable front in the future elections. This is the only way out.

Kola Amzat, Lagos.