Pan Yoruba Group Urges Akintoye To Suspend Relationship With Igbo Groups Over IPOB, Iwuayanwu

By Akinwale Kasali

A Pan Yoruba Group, All Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, has  condemned Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, for labeling the Yoruba ‘Rascals’.

The Group said Iwuayanwu’s statement is genocidal and further authenticates the widespread reports that the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB plans to attack Lagos.

The group said the IPOB hate project has been extended abroad where Yoruba professionals like Adeniran Ariyo, a world renowned cardiologist has been singled out for attack by IPOB members.

AYDM called on the Lagos State Government and all South West Governments to set up an extensive Intelligence Corp to fish out IPOB terrorists, their collaborators including drug barons and manufactures of fake drugs who provide illicit funds for the terrorist group.

It stated that  IPOB is a Nazist organisation, and the Yoruba have the historical role to protect territories from Lagos to Jebba, to Akoko Edo and to Itsekiri territories in Delta State.

But Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo in a statement distanced Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who is the Chairman of  the Ohanaeze Council of Elders from the allegation that he called the Yoruba rascals or that the Igbo would deal with them. Ohanaeze Insisted the allegation is a lie from the pit of hell and said  those he called political rascals, in his speech in Awka at the one year anniversary celebration of Governor Soludo of Anambra State, were those who physically attacked the Igbo in Lagos during the General Elections. Iwuanyanwu, the statement said, instead, called for unity between the two ethnic groups, and said the Yoruba and Igbo “are not at war.”

IPOB has also denied it had any plan to attack Lagos or any other Yoruba State.

But in a Statement by its Secretary General,  Popoola Ajayi, AYDM stated that, “The Yoruba are clearly not the aggressors. IPOB, Chief Iwuanyanwu and their supporters are the aggressors. We promise them that  from Yoruba people there would be proportional response to any attacks on Yorubaland or any Yoruba individual since this seems to be the new project of IPOB, Iwuanyanwu and their collaborators”.

It, however urged the Igbo to go about their businesses without fear. The statement said: “We urge Igbo in Yorubaland to go about their businesses. If Lagos or any part of Yorubaland is eventually attacked by IPOB, the Igbo Nation should know who to hold responsible for the consequences.

“During the #ENDSARs protests, Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader specifically asked IPOB to attack Yoruba barracks and even kill Yoruba State Governors. The statements by Iwuanyanwu and IPOB is in furtherance of Nazism being extended to Yorubaland.

“We draw the attention of the Local and International community to the genocide plat by IPOB and its supporters including Iwuanyanwu. While we recognise that there are moderate Igbo who do not share the genocidal plot of IPOB, we are mindful of the fact that IPOB is a dominant organisation in the South East which rules the area with fear and bullying but lacking wisdom nor knowledge.

“IPOB is armed and has been involved in mindless killings of innocent people in the South East. It makes sense to be alert when such an irresponsible and callous organisation makes such a threat.”

AYDM said the positions of Iwuanyanwu and IPOB are the same and have  shown clearly that Yoruba people who innocently drum support for alliance with the South East are doing so in vain.

‘‘The Yoruba leadership has always bent backwards to work with the South East but at each point, we have ended up regretting, The latest being the support given to Afenifere to Mr Peter Obi who up till now has not even spoken to thank the group nor show solidarily to Lagos people who voted for his party, the Labour Party. In his parochial mindset, he would attributes his victory in Lagos to his people. Little wonder he visited only Ladipo spareparts market after the Presidential election.

“You cannot behead yourself to satisfy the thirst of a people whose primordial aim is to live and witness your peril”, the group said

“We are aware that some Yoruba people are already being killed by IPOB in the South East. One of them was an Immigration officer who was shot dead by IPOB in Anambra State two weeks ago on account of his ethnic origin”, the statement signed by AYDM Secretary General said.