An affiliate group of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, the Conscience of Yoruba Nation, has warned that the Yorubas will not stand aloof and allow the administration of President Bola Tinubu to be truncated under any guise.
While vowing that such a move would be resisted, the group emphasised that the Yorubas have made huge sacrifices for the survival of the country since inception.
In a statement by the Convener, Conscience of Yoruba Nation, Abagun Kole Omololu, plans were made by some ‘rogue’ political actors to create chaos in the country under the guise of the recent protest against bad governance.
Omololu, who called for the investigation and arrest of those behind the hoisting of the Russian flag within the sovereignty of the country, stressed that the Yoruba nation had never sided with anyone or group to rebel against any constitutional government.
He said: “We, the people of Yoruba Nation, will never accept and will ever resist any thought, plan, or attempt to truncate the democratically elected government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the GCFR, or its subnational entities under any guise.
“In our history, we have never promoted rebellion of any kind against a constitutional regime, and we will never attempt to sponsor such a rebellion a rebellion for any reason.
“For the record, the Yoruba, an ethnic nationality of about 50 million, paid heavily for the sustenance of this federation from the unjust imprisonment of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the needless shedding of the blood of Chief S.L. Akintola, the annulment of the mandate, the unjust incarceration and unexplained death of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the winner of the 1993 presidential election, and the thousands of our people killed both in war and by cruel herdsmen.
“Despite all these provocations that reached their peak in the past eight years with the gruesome murder of Mrs. Olufunke Olakunrin, the beloved daughter of our revered leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti OFR, by some mindless Fulani marauders, we have never called for the violent overthrow of any democratically elected government in Nigeria. We have always resisted such a thing a thing and will still resist it if it happens.
“We condemn in strong terms the subversive act of hoisting a foreign flag in the North. We see it as an attempt to invite foreign powers to overrun the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and threaten the country’s existence. We also note with grave concern that some sections of the North have made threats of secession.
“We are aware that the security agencies, especially the Department of State Services and Nigeria Police, have started investigating these acts of treason, and Nigerians are patiently waiting for the outcome of the investigation.
“While the Yoruba have no objection to any part of Nigeria seeking secession or desire to be ruled by the military and pledge fealty to any foreign power, we advise them to reserve their right to do so until they opt out of Nigeria. The Yoruba will decide how we choose to be governed in our independent nation if need be.”
