Ilana Omo Oodua, the umbrella body for Yoruba self-determination groups, has responded to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and other Southwest All Progressives Congress leaders for opposing the agitations for Yoruba freedom.
The spokesperson of Ilana Omo Oodua, Maxwell Adeleye, in an interview with The PUNCH described the APC leaders’ decision as unfortunate, clarifying that the group is for self-determination, not secession.
The group headed by Prof Banji Akintoye also said to the APC leaders that “history will not be kind to them” for “opposing the wish of the people”.
“People need to correct this. It is not secession. What we are fighting for is the self-determination right of our people as guaranteed by the United Nations Charter on Human rights and even the 1999 constitution.
“It is our right to fight for self-determination. Tinubu and others are entitled to their opinions. Conduct a poll and you will see that a majority of Yoruba people want their own nation.
“It is unfortunate that Chief Bisi Akande is present where the yearning and aspirations of Yoruba people will be denied. If his mentor, the late Chief Bola Ige – is alive, will Bisi Akande say the things he read out yesterday?
“If the likes of Tinubu, Baba Akande because of their ambition, are not careful, history will not be kind to them for standing against the yearnings and aspirations of the people. Without the people, they cannot be leaders,” he said.