Modern face of Yoruba agitation for Oodua nation, ‘Sunday Igboho,’ has declared it was time for the Yoruba nation (Oodua Republic) to be established; stating the year of freedom for Yoruba has actually come.
Igboho came to prominence after he issued an eviction notice to criminal herders in Ibarapa area of Oyo State, last month.
Speaking at an event which video has gone viral, Sunday Igboho made it clear that the Yoruba ethnic group has been marginalized under the present government and he would soon lead other Yoruba youths to declare freedom from the Nigerian State.
While speaking in Ibadan, Wednesday, he warned any Yoruba leader campaigning for any public elective post to desist from it; adding that Yoruba were no longer part of Nigeria. The Yoruba leaders were now united with the traditional rulers backing them, he said in a video.
“We are no longer interested in being part of Nigeria. Before this becomes war, the United Nations must intervene because we want to go. We have gone beyond the point we cannot keep quite again. We are no longer scared to voice out. We are not safe anywhere, we can’t sleep in peace, we can’t travel in peace. What have we done: are we slaves?”
Igboho vowed that there would be no retreat, no surrender until the republic becomes a reality.
Notwithstanding, some Yoruba leaders backed him while others expressed caution.
Dr Kunle Olajide, the secretary-general of Yoruba Council of Elders, spoke against the injustice in the country, which he said was discouraging. He further appealed to the current administration to have a change and promote equity and fairness; for the sake of the future of the youths.
Otunba Dejj Osibosun, governor of Yoruba Koya and chairman of Space fm, in his opinion said, he would align with Igboho because the federal government refuse to listen to persistent calls for restructuring.
Similarly, the Senior Elders Forum of the Yoruba Council of Elders through its former national president Dansaki Samuel Adeleye Agbede said, the federal government had turned deaf ears to the voice of the elderly people to restructure the country, warning that the youths were angry. He implored the presidency to issue a restriction on open grazing, in Nigeria.
He also disclosed that the youths were no longer comfortable with the issues of security.
“We can’t stop a group of people from venting their anger; but, what we are against is bloodshed. You don’t expect them to fold their arms when they are being hacked down by herders,” he said.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
