Yoruba nation autonomy is non-negotiable – Youth group declares

Under the auspices of Yoruba National Youths both at home and abroad, a group has declared that their quest for Yoruba Nation self-determination is non-negotiable and that they will stop at nothing to ensure that their dreams come true.

This declaration was made in a joint statement that was signed by Prophet Ayodele Ologunloluwa, the Yoruba National Youth Leader in the Diaspora, and Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole.

The statement enjoined all Yoruba, both at home and abroad, to support the ongoing efforts of the youths towards liberating the people of Yorubaland.

The Youths denounced the statement attributed to Chief Gilbert Olokesusi, the National Chairman of the Apostles of Jagaban, warning History Professor Banji Akintoye about his involvement in the Yoruba Nation agitation.

Olokesusi had informed Akintoye about the police manhunt for Mrs. Dupe Onitiri-Abiola, who was allegedly the mastermind behind some Yoruba Nation agitators’ invasion of the Oyo State government secretariat in Ibadan.

He called Chief Gilbert Olokesusi’s statement reckless and added, “There is no going back on the demand of autonomy for Yoruba Nation which would allow the region to manage its resources and develop at its own pace.

The youths strongly condemned the provocative statement from Olalokesusi and gave the Federal government until June 30th, 2024, to put an end to the killing and kidnapping in Yoruba land.

The youths however condemned in strong terms the move and plans by some monarchs and stakeholders on May 2nd, 2024 to jettison the aspirations of the people of Yorubaland on Yoruba Nation autonomy for restructuring.

“We want to say clearly that we the real Yoruba National Youths campaigner, are not aware of a conference meeting which was held on May 2rd between the South West yorubaland monarchs and stakeholders.

” We are using this opportunity to inform Afenifere that the conference meeting which you all seat in other to plan for the unity of Yoruba land is not yet complete if we the real youths campaigner are not among.

“It is simply means that you Afenifere and Yoruba politicians are playing politics on our intelligent in other to negotiate for restructuring with the Nigeria federal government.

The youths also condemned in entity the destruction of shops and the distruption ofthe economic activities of Yoruba people in Ile Epo, in Agege by bands of Hausa and Fulani hoodlums during the last disturbances in that part of Lagos saying that it was unacceptable.

⁠”These same hoodlums prevented access of fire brigades to burning shops and merchandise, thereby all affected shops and merchandise were completely burnt and destroyed by fire, making it impossible for any to be salvaged.

“The retreat of police men from the scene because law officers were completely overwhelmed and overpowered due to the sheer numbers of arms and other dangerous weapons being carried by these Fulani and Hausa hoodlums.

“We however note with regrets that policemen confession that they could not confront the hoodlums, but quit the scene without making any arrests among the hoodlums.

“This is a cause for regrets because the police force is simply admitting its failure in combating crime, thereby indirectly encouraging further attacks on Yoruba people and their economic interests.

“We consider this unacceptable. We believe no one should be made to feel they are above the laws of the country.

The Yoruba National Youths commended the efforts of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi for identifying with Yoruba Nation autonomy.

“We the Yoruba Nation Youths both at home and Diaspora commended you our Reverend Kabiyesi, the Ooni of Ife for your statement that the Unity of the Yoruba Race is non-negotiable for the advancement of the South-West Region.

They however cautioned the leaders and Afenifere not to be an impediment in the actualization of Yoruba Nation saying they will continue to fight for self-determination for the Yoruba Nation until it becomes a reality.

They said that “there was no way restructuring can work in Nigeria because over 29,000 Yoruba farmers have been killed by the Fulani Herdsmen in yoruba land within Buhari and Tinubu tenure and are still counting, so how will restructuring work in Nigeria.

“It is crystal clear that we can not continue to live in fear in our own region, something needed to be done.

“We therefore call on all security agents in South West and well-meaning individuals to rise up and hold the bull by the horns to fight this darkness that is enveloping our region.

“If we the Yoruba Nation Youths can’t decide on our own, then tell me how will yoruba land become great, when you, our parents said we are the leaders of tomorrow so which means you all are lying to us.

“We the youths condemned the unity conference meeting. No yoruba youth was present at the meeting in other to speak in their interest.

“We are appealing to the Afenifere to stop using the Yoruba Nation youths to negotiate with Nigeria government for the organisation’s selfish interest

“We therefore call on the Nigeria government to begin the process for an autonomous Yoruba nation as a federating unit in Nigeria.