By Julius Alabi, Akure
A socio-political group devotedly clamouring for Yoruba autonomy, Oodua Action Movement (OAM), Monday condemned the statement credited to an Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, describing the groups agitating for Oduduwa Republic and Biafra as the same with Boko Haram terrorists.
The group (OAM) described Gumi’s statement as reckless saying “there is no going back on the demand of autonomy for the Yoruba Nation which would allow the region to manage its resources and develop at its own pace.”
The renowned Islamic Scholar spoke in an interview with BBC pidgin on Saturday while reflecting on the insecurity situation in the country.
A statement by OAM Global Coordinator, Otunba Demola Edward condemned in strong terms what he described as the provocative statement from Gumi. His words: “Gumi statement was nothing short of provocation because groups agitating for Yoruba independence or autonomy have nothing in common with Boko Haram and Fulani bandits which are known in the world and condemned as terrorist groups responsible for the indiscriminate killing, raping, and kidnapping of innocent people including women and children.
Edward emphasised that with the present spate of insecurity and maladministration of the affairs of Nigeria, there is no better alternative than Yoruba and other tribal groups to fight for autonomy in order to develop.
He stressed that Yoruba traditional rulers and leaders should all come together for the struggle, as unity among Yoruba is a sine qua non for success.
He, however, commended Chief Sunday Igboho for his efforts to clean “our land of killer Fulani Herdsmen,” saying that Yoruba leaders still have a lot to do as these Killers (Fulani herdsmen) have taken over some Yoruba towns in the Oke Ogun area and driven away residents while some have been killed.
OAM expressed concern over the recalcitrant posture of President Muhammadu Buhari to overlook other tribes in the affairs of the country, stressing that Nigeria is no more a united entity.
The Yoruba group queried “how many Nigerians nowadays are committed to the one Nigeria agenda? People are fed up with the present marginalisation and we will continue to champion the breaking of the entity for peace to reign.
“We can never be miscreants as Gumi believed, no tribe is superior to others, our vision and mission do not tally with that of Boko Haram terrorists, we are not killers, we are fighting for our own rights, and no going back on the emergence of Yoruba Nation”, he said.
Edward therefore added that there is need for self determination of Yoruba Nation that would guarantee speed and monumental development of the Region.
