By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Yoruba National Youth has said that there was no intimidation by the federal government that could make them back out of the actualisation of the Yoruba Nation’s autonomy.
According to the Youths, they are entirely focused on the actualisation of a separate country for the Yorubas in Nigeria, saying Nigeria has a democracy deficit that could not be beneficial to anyone.
In reacting to the Federal Government’s assertions at the weekend that it would not entertain the Balkanisation of any part of the country, the Yoruba National Youth Leader Diaspora, Prophet Ayodele Ologunloluwa and Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole [Omayor] described the statement as “nonsense” saying that Yoruba Nation autonomy quest stands firm.
During a peace meeting in Plateau State, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, commented on Nigeria’s indivisibility over the weekend. He explained that there would be no room for secession, saying Nigerians living together is an obligation and not an option.
Certain groups have been campaigning to exit the Nigerian union brought together under the separate Southern and Northern protectorates by Lord Lugard in 1914.
The Yoruba Nation Youth leaders said, “Our stand is on Yoruba Nation autonomy is non-negotiable and self-determination is an inalienable human right which the Yorubas are determined to enforce.
For instance, on October 12, where the Yoruba Nation Self Determination Movement (YSDM), led by our leader, Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, submitted a petition to the UK Prime Minister for an independent Yoruba nation to 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister in London was well attended.
It was a joy for us that we were highly recognised and attended to by the Prime Minister. Our focus has been on the pursuit of peaceful means of separating our Yoruba Nation from Nigeria.
“Our petition was never rejected as being rumoured by the Nigerian government. It was well received, and we used this opportunity to warn the federal government to stop the intimidation of the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, over the recent petition on the Yoruba nation.
The youths said the Yorubas have the right to self-determination, and no one can deny it.
It will be recalled that Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho has warned the federal government not to intimidate the British envoy in Nigeria over the petition on Yoruba Nation autonomy to the UK Prime Minister.
In a statement personally signed by Chief Sunday Igboho, he described the reported summoning of Montgomery by the Nigerian government as unnecessary, labelling it an attempt to pressure the diplomat.
He insisted that such moves would not derail the ongoing push for a Yoruba nation
He reassured the Yoruba people that the intimidation tactics of the Nigerian government would not deter the movement.
“We remain committed to peaceful, non-violent, and legitimate methods of ensuring the birth of the Yoruba nation.
He encouraged Yorubas to stay calm and resolute, confident in our collective struggle for emancipation to harness our great potential in a vibrant Yoruba country once it is created out of the current Nigerian contraption”, Igboho added.
However, the Yoruba National Youth said the Yorubas will indeed have their own country through lawful and peaceful means and not through violence.
“It is now a known fact that we shall achieve our self-determination and sovereignty, and then we will no longer have any threats or attacks to contend with. The intimidation of the federal government will not derail our movement. We are good to go now, having called on the international community to bear us witness of our determination to enforce our right as a people, “they added.
