Nobody Can Stop Agitation For Yoruba Nation - Akintoye

Professor Banji Akintoye, the leader of the Ilana Omo Odua on Sunday said nobody, not even the police can stop the agitation for Yoruba self-determination in the country. 

Prof Akintoye disclosed this in a statement issued by the Media and Communications Secretary of the group, Maxwell Adeleye while reacting to the statement made by the new Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, that he would go after agitators for self-determination in the country.

Yoruba nation agitators had on Saturday defied the police clampdown to stage their rally in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

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He said, “Ilana Omo Oodua is not the only organization agitating for self-determination in Yorubaland. There are more than 100 organizations, both at home and in the diaspora that want self-determination.

"Take for instance, on October 1st, 2020, we told our people to come out to stage a peaceful rally to drum up support for self-determination. Yoruba people came out peacefully in 166 countries of the world. The message was loud and clear.

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“Let me also say that the struggle of Yoruba people for self-determination is beyond what anyone can threaten. Let me say this to you, a group of the first generation of Yoruba Diaspora, dating back to the 17th century recently contacted me through their chairman, based in Uruguay.

"These people expressed their commitment toward the struggle for self-determination and they are willing to return home to defend their ancestral land.

He, however, hailed the Yoruba Nimi Omo Kootu-Ojire and its founder,  Titilayo  Ojeleye, for the success of the rally held in Abeokuta on Saturday to drum up support for the actualization of the Yoruba nation.

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He said, “I want to advise the Nigerian State that the Yoruba self-determination struggle under my leadership shall continue to be peaceful and orderly.

“Therefore, threatening us or attempting to subjugate our rights to self-determination and peaceful assembly are cowardly.

“We are marching on, and like valiant soldiers without a dint of fear. I make bold to put it to the Nigerian state that no one can stop an idea whose time has come.”

Akintoye called on all Yoruba self-determination groups to begin to hold rallies in their localities every weekend.

“However, let me warn that all our people should note that each rally must be conscientiously peaceful, lawful, and orderly,” he added.