A coalition of interest groups from Yoruba-speaking communities, under the aegis of the Yoruba Assembly (YA), has called for strategic collaboration among governments, traditional rulers and stakeholders across the South West and neighbouring regions to address the growing insecurity in the geo-political zone.
The coalition made the call during its conference, themed: ‘Democracy and the Future of the People,’ which held in Lagos, expressing deep concerns over recent intelligence reports suggesting a possible incursion by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) into states like Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, and Osun.
YA, in its resolution, condemned recent killings in parts of Kwara, Kogi, and Itsekiri land, noting that any attack on the children of Oduduwa was an attack on all Yoruba people.
It, however, urged the Yoruba people to remain vigilant and be prepared to resist any threats to their security and survival, calling on the Federal Government to ensure the safety of Itsekiri communities in Delta State and Yoruba populations in both Kogi and Delta states.
‘Yoruba people in Kogi and Kwara are facing what amounts to a declaration of war. Itsekiri communities are being sidelined, with pipeline protection contracts handed over to their adversaries. These injustices can no longer be tolerated. Justice must be served before it’s too late,’ the coalition said.
This was just as it reiterated its call for the restructuring of Nigeria along pre-independence regional lines, saying that such model remained the most viable solution to the country’s lingering security and governance challenges.
The Convener of the Assembly, Hon. Olawale Oshun, in his keynote address, raised concerns over what he described as armed opposition to democracy, allegedly sponsored by fascist elements who he said believed they had an exclusive right to control Nigeria’s political and economic systems.
‘We warn military adventurists to stay away from politics. Any attempt to truncate democracy at this point will lead to unprecedented violence,’ Oshun cautioned.
Other prominent speakers at the event included Chief Dele Asaju, Dere Jarikpe, representing the Itsekiri people; veteran journalist, Comrade Adewale Adeoye; Rasaq Arogundade; Wasiu Afolabi, Rasaq Olokooba, Taofik Adeyemi, among others.