Yoruba Group Accuses Supporters Of LP Presidential Candidate, Obi Of Fuelling Violence In Southwest

By Ayodele Oni

Yoruba Ronu, a socio political Group in the south west, has called on the presidential candidate of Labour Party, (LP) Peter Obi, to call to order his followers in the zone and tutor them on peaceful coexistence.

The Group cautioned supporters and faithful of Obidient Movement not to be violent or spread hate speeches, while promoting the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in the Southwest zone.

Chairman of the Group, Prince Diran Iyantan, advised Mr Obi to rein in his supporters who have turned the Southwest states into an enclave of fierce opposition to the candidacy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress,  (APC).

Iyantan, a former Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, gave the warning in Akure, while speaking on ways supporters should conduct themselves while campaigning for their candidates.

He said the warning became necessary going by the ways and manners Peter Obi supporters were going about fiercely forcing their candidate on the people of Southwest.

“As a social political group fighting the cause of the Yoruba people worldwide, we can no longer condone the unwholesome attack on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Obi’s supporters in Lagos, other major cities in southwest and online.

“The way they’re going about this election is like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the only candidate they’re contesting against and will do anything to demean his integrity in this election.

“Obi’s supporters do not have any need to abuse any one, spread hate speeches or even incite people against the other.

“Obi’s supporters continue to demean the achievements of Asiwaju Tinubu in Lagos as if it’s not the same success stories of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State that secured Lagos and helped propel their businesses that made them see Lagos as their homes.

“The question to ask them is those who voted Obi as Anambra Governor in 2007, has their future improved in 2022? Even the Obi they are forcing on us to vote for can’t even move about freely in the state he governed for 8 years.

“And they’re in Lagos well secured and prosperous on the benevolence of their hosts.

“Let us ask those saying ‘vote Obi if you want a better future or mayhem will follow’ a question. Look at the state you live in Lagos and then look at Anambra.

“Which is more peaceful? Which has better roads? Which has better hospitals. Which has better infrastructure built by the state government?

“If the answer is not Anambra, why should you force people of the southwest to vote your candidate?

“No matter what Peter Obi supporters say about Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at least you can truthfully say that those who voted for him as Governor of Lagos State twenty four years ago have a better future in Lagos today because of him. Can the same be said about Anambra people who voted for Obi fifteen years ago?

“So, stop the hate speeches, the insults on a man who provided a secured Lagos for you, unlike your various states where a majority of you can’t even visit let alone relocate.

“Stop the threat and blackmail and go about this campaign in absolute conviviality by bringing the issue to the fore instead of unwholesome attack on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“If these supporters refuse to renege on their unruly behaviour of wanting to turn the southwest zone to a theatre of political war of hate speeches, threats and abuse of our son, and make life difficult to the people through their disruption of peace in our region, we will respond to combat it accordingly.

“Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu is well-equipped and prepared for Nigeria presidency in 2023 and we shall stand by him to the promised land.”