Yoruba groups in Diaspora insist on self-determination

A coalition of over 174 Yoruba groups in the Diaspora, Yoruba One Voice (YOV), has said that it is still committed to the agitation to actualise the O’odua Republic.

The groups, which restated the agenda through a virtual meeting titled: “Dealing With Critical Fault-Lines of a Failed Federation: Is It To Unbundle or Restructure the Leviathan?” insisted that the call for self-determination remained the last option for the Yoruba nation.

The conference, held for over four hours, involved speakers like Prof. Akin Alao; the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams; General Secretary, YOV, Dr. Sina Okanlomo; Prof. Olufemi Oluyeju, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, Prof. Kehinde Yusuf, Prof. Seun Kolade, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, Basorun Akin Osuntokun, Adedapo Adesanmi, Olori Oluwakemi Adedipe, Mrs. Omoladun Orolugbagbe, Tokunbo Soyinka, Bamidele Seteolu and others.

The groups said long years of misrule, nepotism and failure to embrace true federalism and also tackle the protracted spate of insecurity across the country had been the bane of the nation, adding that the South-West geo-political zone could no longer play a second fiddle in Nigeria.

In his remark, Adams said self-determination was a true reflection of the present mindset of all Yoruba in the Diaspora.

According to him: “YOV is a coalition of all Yoruba groups and socio-cultural organisations in the Diaspora with a mission to rescue the Yoruba race from a rudderless situation. We decided to raise our voices against the unjust system that had for a very long time become the nemesis of our race.

While giving an historical insight into Nigeria’s present situation, Prof. Alao described Nigeria as a fractured federation, saying: “The British imperialist did more damage to the unity and sanctity of Nigeria than any other country in the world. But failures of leadership remain the reason for continued agitations for a new Yoruba nation.”

Alao, while urging all stakeholders and leaders to embrace credible electoral process in the country, maintained that Nigeria had long before independence been sharply divided along ethic line.

He said elections conducted during the military era tended to be more credible than those conducted by the civilians.

Okanlomo said Nigerians of Yoruba descent in the Diaspora were worried about the growing trends of insecurity in the country, adding that the groups are determined to recreate a nation that allows justice, fairness, equity and transparency.

Also, in his submission, Obayori noted that different nationalities that were forced together had always been the bane of regional rivalries, political instability and social crisis.

According to him, “Yoruba have the right to determine whether to be part of Nigeria or not.”