The President-General of the Yoruba World Congress (YWC), Prof. Banji Akintoye, on Wednesday, said that the over 55 million Yoruba people in the South-West would get its sovereign Yoruba nation from Nigeria without breaking the law of Nigeria or shedding blood.
The President-General stated this at the YWC House in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, during the remembrance celebration of the Kiriji War, which took place over 130 years ago.
Akintoye 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.”
He stressed the significance of the struggle when he said that, “When we first started the process, we had a total of 45 organizations, but now, we can boast of a total of 107 different organizations.
“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 for October 1 by some youths, he said, “they reserved the rights to stage the rally, but warned against violence.”
On his part, the leader of the Movement for Oduduwa Republic, Mr. Akin George, emphasized unity among the Yoruba.
He said, “We can’t fight the enemies if the home front is divided. We may have misunderstanding, but it should not lead to a quarrel.”
Other dignitaries at the celebration included High Chief Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan who represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; the Convener, Yoruba Koya, Otunba Deji Osibogun, among others.
