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| Prof Banji Akintoye: Nigerian Soldiers are targeting Yorùbá Self-Determination Youths |
I find it necessary to make the following statement in
my position as Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua.
An unfortunate mixup occurred in Ilana's statement yesterday, Nov. 06, 2022
concerning the conflict between some Nigerian soldiers and some Yoruba youths
who were holding a rally in support of self-determination for their Yoruba
country.
I responsibly inform the public that in the past two weeks, credible reports
have reached me that some Nigerian soldiers have been targeting Yoruba
self-determination youths holding their accustomed peaceful rallies or holding
meetings peacefully.
It is a pity that a conflict has occurred. But, in the interest of peace, I at
this moment urge soldiers, police, and other law-enforcement agencies to desist
from trying to compel Yoruba youths from holding rallies and meetings in
support of self-determination for their Yoruba nation.
I am sure that all Nigerian officials of all ranks know that self-determination
is an inalienable right of every nation in the world and that agitation for
self-determination is not a crime, as long as it is peaceful.
The whole world knows by now that the Yoruba people are resolved to employ only
peaceful and law-abiding means and methods for their self-determination
agitation. On the other hand, I appeal to all Yoruba youths to bear in mind in
all situations, that we Yoruba are bent on keeping the peace as we demand our
nation's self-determination and freedom from Nigeria.
I must add this paragraph in further pursuit of peace and truth. We Yoruba
leaders of the self-determination struggle have reliably learned that some
leading persons in the campaign for the 2023 Nigerian elections are sending
some of their supporters to go and behave in unruly ways to attack
law-enforcement officials and then credit their actions to self-determination
agitators.
Our leading citizens who are engaging in this disgraceful conduct should give it up, in the interest of our Yoruba nation. An overwhelming majority of our Yoruba people have decided to retrieve our Yoruba nation's self-determination and sovereignty as a country separate from Nigeria, and nothing can make us go back or look back. We Yoruba have seen enough of Nigeria's decline, decay, and savagery.
Prof. Banji Akintoye, ALANA