Obasanjo Reveals Village Diplomacy Averted Agbekoya Protests

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed that village diplomacy played a crucial role in averting protests from the Agbekoya movement against the Land Use Decree of 1978. During a public event on Saturday, he recounted a pre-dawn tour he undertook around Ibadan, advised by elder statesman Chief Adebo, to engage directly with the Agbekoya leaders and villagers.

This direct engagement was necessary as previous intermediaries failed to suppress the protests. Obasanjo noted that both northern and southern factions opposed the Land Use Act when it was promulgated, leading to potential unrest.

His efforts included visiting several villages to explain government policies directly. He emphasized that this approach contributed to the enduring nature of the Land Use Act within Nigeria's constitutional framework.

The event also celebrated Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar's 84th birthday, where Obasanjo acknowledged the contributions of military leaders in shaping Nigeria's history.