Yoruba Youths & Women Jointly Condemn Oduduwa Republic Rally

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The apex Yoruba youths umbrella body: Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW) and Yoruba Council of Women Worldwide (YCWW), both under the auspices of the Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye have called on all Yoruba youths, women, elders and others to shun the declared Oduduwa Republic Rally slated for 1st October, 2020, considering the whole opaquely negative conflicting processes and lack of administrative prowess, and undoubtedly without any viable preceding and proper consultation with their leadership or any known groups on the modus operandi on the true identity of its promoters, positive purpose, succinctly driven vision, strategy on economic blueprints, realistic objectives, set of demands and agenda system abinitio, nor following due concise prerequisites by conducting a generally acceptable referendum via plebiscites to seek the consents and consensus of all yoruba people before embarking on such a headless “chicken” adventure.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Monday, the group said, “Unarguably, this is not the best time to clamour for war or cause monumental ripples that could lead to total breakdown of law and order”.

“In view of the recent denials of the purported publication by Sun Newspaper over the reported speech delivered by Prof Banji Akintoye, President General of the Yoruba World Congress (YWC), unfortunately this depicts a huge lacuna and deceit on the part of the elderstateman, professed fear and double standards from the entire leadership the coalition.”

“Unfortunately, this does not represents the bravery and native intelligence of a true born Omoluabi (Virtuous) Yoruba spirit, more so it will inevitably amount to total distraction from the real issues bordering on gross maladministration and demands for a new people’s constitution predicated on true fiscal federalism and absolute restructuring, other issues on the front burner are the many years of wasteful and unmitigated pervasive corruption, unending deep economic crisis leading to aggravated hardships, sorrows, pains and agony, unabated issues of insecurity nationwide, and the recent undeniable rising debt profile in the country.”

“Perhaps, this urgently calls for a national concerted efforts and mutual concerns, presumably this has been parts of the vision of the Council to confront headlong with a driven panaceas.”

“Except some persons are sponsored to start a war internally in Yoruba land at the detriment of our people and fragile peace in Nigeria, indeed amounting to double jeopardy.”

“This singular treasonous and seditious acts to raise another flag in a territory of another nation, this could lead to invasion and arm conflicts against the government.”

“We therefore seize this medium to inform the whole world, and having earlier instructed and directed all members of Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide, Yoruba Council of Women Worldwide and all our affiliate organizations not to promote any Oodua flags, emblems, insignia nor participate in the declared ‘YorubaExit Rally’ of 1st October, 2020.”

“We have more pressing issues than fanning embers of crises, Nigeria currently needs collective fundamental intervention rescue mission by our generation, the elderly are leaving the scene soon, that is why the Council is earnestly working on building bridges of collaborations with our sister organizations within the Southern region of Nigeria under the aegis of the Southern Nigeria Group(SNG), comprising of Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Istekiri Youth Council Worldwide, National Council of Ogoni Youths, and our counterparts in the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and alongside other like minds to mention a few are genuinely prepared to kick start a “National People’s Dialogue for Peace and Development Agenda Nationwide, wherein we hope to dialogue on all and every affected areas of mutual concerns and raise fundamental demands, while proffering innovative positivity ideas, and thereby looking inward for the much expected long lasting solutions.”

“Hence, our freedom lies in our collective destiny and not in the street protest.”

“We need more unity in Yoruba land to succeed on any Yoruba Agenda, however, we must first aim to clean the Augean political tables internally, and ask all our elected or selected political leaders to show transparency, integrity, service and give maximum accountability based on absolute fidelity and prudency in the management of our resources.”

“We reiterate our stands that until YWC purge itself of these selfishly concocted shenanigans, we hereby withdraw our membership tentatively from the body, while we distance ourselves from the protest Oodua Republic rally slated for 1st October , 2020 which coincidentally is the Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary.”

“We assure all inhabitants living within Yoruba land to go about their lawful affairs without any iota of fear of attack or molestation, while calling on the law enforcement agencies to maintain absolute professionalism and due decorum towards ensuring provision of adequate security of lives and properties.”

“In as much as we are protected and guaranteed by law to protest, however, such kind of “YorubaExit Rally” is not covered under the guise of clandestinely motivated secessionist ideology, and most regrettably and ridiculous to believe is this one led by a headless body.”

“We have emphatically spoken!!!

Yoruba ni mi, omo Karo ojire…

Signed:

Aare Oladotun Hassan, Esq.
President-General, Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye.

Adekanbi Siyanbade,
Executive Secretary, Igbimo Apapo Yoruba Lagbaye,

Adeleke Akeem
Executive Secretary, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide(YCYW)

Aarebirin Ajetoke Oyekan,
National Coordinator,
Yoruba Council of Women Worldwide (YCWW).

Erelu Lilian Ojukannaiye,
Executive Secretary,
Yoruba Council of Women Worldwide (YCWW).