MICHAEL AKINOLA
The agitation for the Oduduwa Republic has taken a new dimension following the plans by the Yoruba Revolutionary Movement (YOREM) to put in place a Constituent Assembly in preparation for secession from Nigeria.
P.M.EXPRESS reports as was disclosed by the National Coordinator of YOREM , Comrade Wale Balogun, during a press conference held in Lagos State on the State of the nation.
The group stated that the ugly experience of the Yoruba within the failed Nigeria State necessitated the clarion call for peaceful dissolution of Nigeria, which emanated from the annulment of 12 June,1993 Presidential election and the struggle to end the Military rule and actualize the people’s mandate, which culminated to the birth of Yoruba self determination groups during the protracted struggle.
“As the revolutionary splinter group of OPC, we have maintained a call for Yoruba Constuent Assembly comprising working people, artisans, peasants, students, professionals, faith based organizations, physically challenged, market men and women, Yoruba Obas, Chiefs, academics, political elites, organized labour, informed sector workers and other social forces within Yoruba nation including representatives outside Wastern region of Nigeria and others in Diaspora.”
Comrade Balogun explained that Yoruba Constituent Assembly will be an opportunity for the Yoruba to aggregate their collective interest, speak with one voice on how and why they cannot continue to live with other ethnic nationalities, who they do not share same norms, traditions, values and visions with.
He stated that the Conference will provide the opportunity to articulate the sociopolitical order to govern the sovereign Yoruba Nation because the struggle for self determination is also for the social emancipation of the people.
“‘YOREM struggled and committment as an organization is for the exit of the Yoruba Nation from the failed British contraption called Nigeria because they got tired of calling for restructuring to reflect a genuine Federal union.”
Balogun stated that Yoruba Nation is facing threats from terror gang championed by Northern oligarchs to take over Yoruba land and that was behind the recent killings of the Obas one after the other in a bid to take over the Yoruba land.
He called on all Yorubas both at home and in diaspora to rise up to the challenge to protect and defend Yoruba people and their lands against internal Fulani colonizers because their political leaders comprising the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governors, National and State Assembly appeared to have failed the Yoruba.
“To us in YOREM, the Yoruba must be ready, prepared, mobilized and organized to end the bad dream Nigeria represents and stands for as presently constituted. A Tinubu Presidency cannot and will not save Yoruba land from the impending explosion in Nigeria. We have no option than to organize a Yoruba Constituent Assembly, which is the most credible platform to aggregate Yoruba collective interests and aspirations.” Balogun stated