A group agitating for the realisation of Yoruba Nation, Coalition of Yoruba Interest Groups (CYIG) has taken a swipe at the ‘unsavoury’ utterances of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State against the eminent Yoruba leader and Scholar, Professor Banji Akintoye.
The group described the action as unguarded, provocative and disparaging.
Akeredolu at a forum had said those calling for Yoruba Nation are not representatives of the Yorubas.
He declared that he would not support the agitation for Yoruba Nation by a group of people, while reacting to a statement credited to a group under the auspices of the Ilana Omo Oodua supported by Professor Akintoye.
Governor Akeredolu emphasised that the people of the southwest region would not be cajoled to support any secession move.
However, the Coalition of Yoruba Interest Groups, through its spokesman, Otunba Demola Edward bemoaned Akeredolu for disparaging the eminent Professor of History, using caustic words against Yoruba leading light such like Professor Akintoye.
He said in a statement” our collective mind is already made up on the quest for Self-Determination for Yoruba Nation. We have suffered unquantifiable degradation under the so called Federal Republic of Nigeria which has destroyed our economy, education, and social life while our survival as a people is threatened by the Fulani. “Enough is enough, let Akeredolu relocate to the North to meet his Fulani descendants in order to continue with their one Nigeria” Edward said.
The statement asked the Governor to name those Yoruba leaders that have credibility and could fight for the Yoruba race other than the likes of Professor Akintoye. Edward added that Governor Akeredolu’s motive is suspicious as he was trying to please his Fulani masters in order to overturn the festering political cases in court which might likely lead to his removal as Governor of Ondo State and reminded him that he would have no home to come with these hellish utterances of his.
It said” we know our genuine leaders not those opportunists who are ready to sell us out because of their affluence, political greed and inordinate ambition. Yorubas have remained in bondage, we can not continue like this”.
” We can vouch for Professor Akintoye and few others who have Yoruba interests at heart to lead us to the promised land, not those who have been enslaved by the Fulani hegemony because of wanting to remain in power”.
The statement re-emphasised that Yoruba people know the true leaders fighting for them and their genuine interests, urging Akeredolu to note that life itself is ephemeral and the position he is holding today will be occupied by another person tomorrow.
Edward pleaded with Prof Akintoye not to be deterred in his mission to free Yoruba from the oppressors and opportunists who pretend as if they love the people, but are their strong enemies.
He stressed that posterity will judge those Yoruba elites, who rather than support the Yoruba Nation Project, are antagonising it for their selfish interests.
Ends.
