Yoruba Nation: Alake, Aare Adams, YCE, Afenifere, Akintoye, others clash

 

THE agitation for Oodua Republic has continued to generate mixed reactions from various stakeholders across the country.

The clamour for the secession of the Yoruba nation from Nigeria is gradually gaining momentum in the South-West, but the move is not generally accepted by all stakeholders in the region, who expressed divergent views on it.

Similarly, various groups like the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as well as Niger-Delta ex-militant leader, Asari Dokubo, are agitating for Biafra Republic.

But the agitation for secession has, however, been met with stiff resistance as President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday, that Nigerians are better and stronger together in the entity called Nigeria, noting that he defended the unity of the country as a soldier during the civil war between 1967 and 1970.

The President spoke virtually from Aso Villa as chairman of the 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, titled: Our Common Wealth: The Imperative of National Cohesion for Growth and Prosperity, to celebrate the 69th birthday of All Progressives Congress chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in Kano.

Buhari had said: “Despite occasional inter-ethnic tensions in our national history, it seems to me that we have all agreed on one point, that notwithstanding our diversity or ethnicity, culture, language and religion, Nigerians are better, even stronger together.”

Clamour for Oodua Republic is long overdue—Gani Adams

However, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has said that the clamour for the Oodua Republic is long overdue adding that the call for self-determination was a true reflection of the present mindset of all Yoruba sons and daughters in the diaspora.

No to secession—Alake

But the Alake of Egbaland and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo called on those calling for secession to shelve the idea of dividing the country, just as he warned that Nigeria must not be allowed to fail.

He also advised Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, political or religious affiliations, to work together for the overall development of the country.

The monarch also said that the success of the black race is dependent on Nigeria’s ability to overcome its challenges of division.

He said: “If Nigeria failed as a country, the entire black race had failed.

“Nigerians, wherever we go, we must see ourselves as nationals of the same country, people of the same blood.

Secession, restructuring pointing to same thing —Okurounmu

For former Secretary-General of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Senator Femi Okurounmu said: “The two agitations; secession and restructuring are pointing to the same thing. The two agendas mean the same thing. The call for secession is conditional.”

Okurounmu also said that “if there is a restructuring of the country, there would be no need for secession. But if there is no restructuring, every component of the country may want to go its way.”

Secession too heavy, consequential—Senior Elders Forum

Reacting to the issue, the Senior Elders Forum of the Yoruba Council of Elders, through Col. Samuel Agbede (retd) said the word “secession” is too heavy and very consequential.

To him, he feels self-determination is more subtle and a better way to solve this quagmire.

Agbede said: “The situation we are having now is that there are two distinct groups in Yorubaland with different views. These are the political class and the masses. The political class is not keen on the Yoruba Republic because of their structure in governance; because of the sumptuous life and advantage they have in the Nigerian system at the moment.

We, Senior Elders Forum of YCE don’t oppose Sunday Igboho because he is the one who has brought the problem we are facing to the limelight. We must give him the credit that he has brought out the problem of the people to the fore.

“I don’t think calling for secession is the outright way or best approach. We are saying that in the 1914 Lugardist amalgamation, there was an agreement and this has expired. We should sit down and fashion out another agreement after 100 years.

It’s secession or nothing else —Akintoye

A foremost Yoruba leader, Professor Adebanji Akintoye, in a viral video, said that since Fulani marauders continue to kidnap, rape, kill and maim his people, they would have to defend themselves.

Akintoye said: “We have to defend our land. If those factors of kidnapping, raping, killing and maiming our people are not there, we will fight for self-determination in a peaceful, noiseless way and achieve it.

“Thank God for a patriotic and loyal person like Sunday Igboho. He mustn’t be considered a desperado, he’s a young man who can’t stand the brutalization of his people. Since he came, very many young Yoruba men have arisen to defend their people.

We want new constitution, not restructuring or secession—YCE

Perhaps towing the path of the Senior Elders Forum, the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, said it was not interested in restructuring or secession but a new constitution where the central government would devolve much of its powers to the state and local governments, where the majority of Nigerians live.

YCE’s Secretary-General, Dr. Kunle Olajide said: “We do not want secession, what we want is a brand new constitution, not restructuring, I do not like the word restructuring, it is loose, what we want is a new constitution, there is no way you can continue to amend this constitution and get the result that you require.

Oduduwa Republic is our right —Omololu, Afenifere chieftain

The National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Agagun Kole Omololu, also lent his voice to the raging controversy, saying Oduduwa Republic is the fundamental human right of the Yoruba race.

The Afenifere chieftain said: “Nigeria is not working and it cannot work with the way it is. The hegemonic tendency of the Northern Fulani has destroyed Nigeria. No region is at peace. Barbaric Fulani bandits have taken over Nigeria. No sane international investors will bring their money to an unsafe country.

Yoruba must eschew bickering —Agunloye, ex-Defence Minister

Also, a former Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Olu Agunloye, posited that: “What is paramount now is for the Yoruba nation to eschew politics, self-interests, procrastination and bickering; deploy all resources within the land to galvanise a meticulous Defensive Action Plan complete with strategies, schedules and schemes to be driven by select leaders (including the governors) and subgroups to protect the commonwealth and future of Yorubaland.

Yoruba must be united —Senator Tofowomo

On his part, the lawmaker representing Ondo South Federal Constituency, Senator Nicholas Tofowomo called on stakeholders in Yoruba land to be united if they want to achieve their goals.

Tofowomo said: “The Yoruba nation cannot be achieved with the division among the Yoruba leaders, men and women of the Yoruba dynasty. Some are saying one Nigeria while some are agitating for a nation. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Yoruba have no leader —Akintoye

A political analyst, Mr. Zadok Akintoye, said: “The question of what the Yoruba want from Nigeria has not been collectively defined. While the larger majority of Yoruba feel a sense of disappointment with the Nigerian state, the collective leadership of the people across political, religious and cultural divides has not been able to form a quorum. It is quite revealing to the discerning mind that the agitation for justice in Nigeria has shown that the Yoruba nation does not have a united pro-Yoruba leadership.”