Group Condemns Killings, Violence, Destruction Of Yorubaland And Its Heritage |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Yoruba Congress, AYC, representing several Associations based in the old Western Region, has condemned the killing of protesters in the South West prompted by the #ENDSARs agitations.

The group in its observation said that it is in total support of the #ENDSARS protest, stressing that the organisations have been part of the tradition of protest in Yoruba history for more than half a decade.

It, however, condemns the killing of people by security operatives. This, it says, is against the democratic tradition of Yoruba people and does not reflect the heritage of Yoruba people.

“We shall work with local and international communities to compile the names of the perpetrators, and ensure that they are brought to book now or in the future.

It, also, added that it condemns in its entirety, the burning of public properties in Lagos and the conscious destruction of Yoruba economic strength. These acts could not have been perpetrated by responsible Yoruba people who know that these assets are public property necessary for the wellbeing of Yorubaland.

It said there is no rationale and wisdom in the destruction of any public or private property, which makes the Group feel so disturbed by the carnage visited on the Court of Appeal, the Lagos High Court, the City Hall, Guarantee Trust Bank, (GTB), Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA), Lagos State TV, The Nation, BRT buses, TVC.  The attackers burn down four Fire Preventing Stations showing a conscious attempt to ensure the Yoruba legacies were brought down.

“We call on the Lagos State Government to fish out those responsible for the killings of innocent souls in Lagos. They must be made to face the maximum penalty. We call for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the destruction of public property in Lagos. If the wanton destruction continues, WE SHALL GO INTO THE FIELD TO DEAL RUTHLESSLY WITH THE PERPETRATORS.

“The Yoruba Nation is faced with a twin evil of enemies down and up, fueled by envy and hatred for Yoruba civilisations and history, those who are committed to the destruction of Yorubaland. This will not happen as long as God lives. Rather, these elements and their collaborators will be smitten in our faces and be fed with their own flesh and blood, as long as our God lives.

“We call on Yoruba groups to unite. This is more important than unity with other nationalities. Nigeria offers nothing but deaths and misery.

“We call on the political class in Yorubaland to have a rethink and work in the interest of their people. The continuation of a system that excludes the people and keeps them in penury and misery, while a few live in opulence and ill-gotten wealth is a whirlwind that will eventually consume the political leaders themselves.

“We call on the United Nations, (UN) and the international community to show greater interest in the future of Nigeria before it is too late. We also assure Yoruba people all over the world, that we shall continue to work in the defense of our Yoruba fatherland. We shall do this with all our strength and all the mental and material resources available to us, to ensure that Yorubaland is not trampled and destroyed by arch enemies. Our only offense is that we have shown much love but in return we have been paid with bile and scorn”.