October 1 Protest: Coalition Of Yoruba Groups Demand Oduduwa Republic |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

The Coalition of Yoruba Self Determination Groups is demanding for a referendum for an Oduduwa Republic.

The Group said that Nigeria, as a nation is no more habitable for the Yoruba people, stressing that Nigeria is still crawling and has many ailments threatening its survival.

It, also, added that the afflictions Nigeria is suffering from may end its lifespan, unless a surgical operation is done to remove its festering tumor.

The Group comprising  over 24 self-determination Groups said that Nigeria has continued to record stunted growths with its economic fortunes nose-diving into the abyss, unlike its contemporaries like Singapore, Brazil, Ghana, India, South Africa and others.

A statement by the Group, signed by Rasaq Olokooba, on behalf of the other Groups, said that the Yoruba People are indigenous to 10 States in Nigeria being Delta (Itshekiri), Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara, Ekiti and Edo State (Akoko).

It added that the Yoruba people have continued to experience and endure different forms of hardship and repression beginning from the political upheavals in 1962, during the Civil War, where many Yoruba were forced to fight a war that had no meaning to them, to the dotted landscapes of military coups and the imposition of repressives regime over Yoruba territories, to the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections won by a Yoruba Man, Late Moshood Abiola.

“In the past few months, a new and fervent moment of Yoruba Self Determination Groups has been reinvigorated, and it is spreading like wildfire. In six continents, various Yoruba Groups of which we are involved will be holding rallies,  all calling for an Independent Yoruba Nation

“This demand is a popular struggle, as the product of spinless leadership over the years has characterised Nigeria and has accentuated vicious attacks on Yoruba Values and Civilization. This agitation for Oduduwa Republic is fueled by certain unfortunate developments.

“The primary and secondary causes of these are Political and economic exclusion, lack of electoral credibility, Corruption, Yoruba people are not allowed to choose their leaders, Nepotism, primitive acquisition of public wealth by public Officials, disdain for human rights and the dignity of Man.

“The secondary factors are the invasion of Yorubaland by armed alien forced; the audacity by alien people invading, kidnapping, maiming and killing Yoruba people; the mass migration of economic, cultural and extremists refugees to Yorubaland; destruction of Forest resources by armed Fulani Invaders and militias”.

The Group added that the right of people to self determination is a fundamental principle in modern international law, and binds all members of United Nation together, in which Nigeria is member.

It, however, warned the Federal Government, Police and all Security Operatives to respect the rights of the Yoruba people to self determination and any attempt to attack, arrest, kill or kidnap main advocates of this cause will only strengthen and embolden the Group in line with global best practices.

The Group, also, warned opposing self determination Groups to desist from provoking the people who are ready to key into an idea that has been in the offing for decades.

It called on the United Nations to organise a self determination referendum for ethnic nationalities in Nigeria before the 2023 elections.

However, a number of other Yoruba Groups, and stakeholders, are against a secession, and have asked the Federal Government to ignore the calls.