The President-General, Yoruba World Congress, Prof. Banji Akintoye, has said that the Yoruba people of South-West Nigeria would attain independence as a sovereign nation without breaking the law of the country and without the shedding of blood.
Prof. Akintoye made the pledge in his address at the YWC House in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, during the celebration of the anniversary of the Kiriji War which happened over 130 years ago.
The historian, who expressed worries over the plight of the Nigerian youth, stated that nothing would stop the liberation of Yoruba from its enemies.
He, however, warned that the youth, as a critical cell in the fight for struggle, should desist from violence.
The retired don said, “We have been saying we will have the Yoruba nation. The Yoruba World Congress is committed to helping the Yoruba nation to secure its position in the comity of nations.”
Stressing the significance of the struggle, he noted that “When we first started the process, we had a total of 45 organisations but now, we can boast of a total of 107 different organisations.
“They do say that I don’t compromise; it is not every time. But once we say we will take a common stance, I don’t know how to betray. We will get the Yoruba nation free without violence; we will not break the laws of Nigeria. If there is anyone who wants to be violent, we will tell them, no.”
On the proposed rally fixed for October 1 by some youths, the Yoruba leader said they reserved the rights to stage a rally but they should be careful not to allow violence that could lead to death or bloodshed.
“If you are violent and there are dead bodies on the streets, you are circumventing our purpose.
We are telling the world that we want our own country. We have the rights to demand for our rights. When we launched Amotekun, was there any arrest or violence? If you want to stage a rally, do so. It is your right, but no violence.
“I have passion for the youths. If you don’t have people who can take after you, no matter the amount of wealth you have it is nothing. These youths are important. We, elders can only guide and lead you. We can write letters but it is you who will do it.
It must succeed. Anybody saying contrary, I’m not part of that idea.
“In the past 30 or 40 years, the Nigerian youths have not been the same. I graduated from the University College Ibadan in the morning and by evening my wife and I were employed.
Throughout my career life I interracted with the youth. I can’t do the things I’m doing now if I don’t have the youths around me.
“We are hurting our future in a very vicious way. Yoruba are 55 million people, 74 per cent is 40 years and below. They have the authority of the land to say you can’t do it, go back home, no violence, go to market places, mechanic workshop, farmers on their way to the farms. If they can do this, getting our resolve done will not be difficult.
“We don’t force our will on people. Explain to those organisations who don’t understand what you want. Yoruba will not suffer. We are the most populous people in Africa. We want to take our own country and begin to build it. Nothing more.”
The leader of the Movement for Oduduwa Republic, Mr Akin George, explained how they had mobilised other people in Yorubaland.
He said, “We went to Okemesi where the Kiriji War started. We saw the king. From there, we went to Imesi Ile and Igbajo. At Igbajo, we noticed disunity between Imesi Ile and Oke Imesi, between Igbajo and Ibadan people there. We reconciled them. We can’t fight the enemies if home front is divided. We may have misunderstanding but it should not lead to quarrel.”
Dignitaries at the celebration are High Chief Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan who represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; the Convener, Yoruba Koya Otunba Deji Osibogun; the Oodua Redemption Alliance, represented on the occasion by Wale Alabi; and the Odua Coalition against insurgency and kidnapping in Yoruba land led by Olu Omotosho.
Also, the Odua Revolutionary Front was represented on the occasion by Opeoluwa Ademoyegun, while the Yoruba Internationale was represented by Iyanda Wasiu.
