Aregbesola brands ‘secessionists’ foolish, as Oduduwa agitators storm Ekiti

The Minister for Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday, lambasted those agitating for Oduduwa and Biafra republics, warning against demands that could plunge the nation into another civil war.

Speaking at his 64th birthday event organised by the Awolowo Centre for Philosophy and Ideology, at Ijebu Ijesa, the former Governor of Osun State described secessionists as “foolish and warmongers.”

He said: “Those who are agitating for Yoruba Nation and Biafra Nation are foolish. Any Nigerian must seek unity, harmony and peace for our country. If we refuse to entrench unity, peace and strength for Nigeria, Africans may be enslaved for another time. This is the country that God has created to liberate the Africa nation, anyone who wants that should not trouble this country. 

“Any right-thinking person should know that any problem against Nigeria would result in calamity and retrogression that will last for 50 years. Anyone who loves women, children, pregnant women, aged, people living with disabilities should stop the agitation. It will take Nigeria 50 years to recover from another civil war. Anyone who still wants civil war for Nigeria should kill himself, or leave the country. We must seek to support Nigeria, everything may not seems right and fine but we must find a solution to our challenges.”

On the newly created controversial caucus, The Osun Progressives (TOP) in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, Aregbesola declared support for the group and said it was to deepen democracy in the party.

“I am in support of the consolidation of progressive legacies in this state, as long as we are in power, and we shall be in power for a very long time in this state. TOP wants to strengthen the political structure of our party. It also wants to promote internal democracy within the party, so count me with TOP. If the core of TOP is strengthening democracy, I am with them. 

Also yesterday, economic and social activities in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital were halted for several hours, as the agitators for the Oduduwa Republic, Organised by Ilana Omo Oodua, led by Prof. Banji Akintoye, staged a rally to press for their demands.

Areas affected by the peaceful protest included Fajuyi, Bank Road, Oke Yinmi area, and the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti.

At the venue of the rally, there was a heavy presence of officers and men of the Nigeria Police, Amotekun Corps, Nigerian Civil Defense Corps, and the Department of State Services.

The agitators displayed various banners/placards calling for the actualisation of their dream amidst dancing and funfair. 

The leader of the agitators, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, who arrived Fajuyi Park at 5.20 pm, said that the suffering of Yoruba people in the hand of Fulani was enough, urging the people of the South West to unite for the realisation of Oduduwa Republic.

He noted that political and economic powers were currently in the hands of the Fulani and that others across the country have endured enough.

He vowed that there would be no election in the South West in 2023 because the Yoruba people would not vote in the election.

Adeyemo, who said that the time for Oduduwa Nation has come, and nothing can stop it, added: “We are not slaves and we can’t continue to behave as slaves in our fatherland. All positions from the president, the IGP, comptroller generals of customs, immigration, and the EFCC boss among others are held by Fulani to the exclusion of the Yoruba people. Enough is enough.”

Also speaking at the rally, the Communications Secretary, Ilana Omo Oodua, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, alleged that the country has been so ravaged that there was nothing to restructure anymore in Nigeria.

“Also, the ongoing review of the 1999 constitution is an academic exercise, and a complete waste of time. It is just a usual way of providing food for the boys. It is a disaster that must never be allowed to happen. “We at Ilana Omo Oodua, supported by well-meaning Yoruba people within and beyond the shores of Nigeria will continue to mobilise and educate our people on the dangers associated with our continuous stay in Nigeria.