A pan-Yoruba group, the Conscience of Yoruba Nation, an affiliate of Afenifere, has admonished those agitating for military rule to desist from such treasonable acts in the interest of peace and national cohesion in the country.
The Pan Yoruba socio-political group loyal to Pa Reuben Fasoranti’s faction of Afenifere said those displaying national flags of other nations or calling for military rule have committed treason and should be prosecuted by relevant government agencies.
The convener of the Conscience of Yoruba Nation, Abagun Kole Omololu, in a statement on Sunday, said the group condemned in strong terms the subversive act of those protesting against economic hardship to hoist foreign flags, especially in the North.
According to him, the action of the protesters was an attempt to invite foreign powers to overrun the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and threaten the country’s existence.
Omololu said the group noted with grave concern that some sections of the North have made threats of secession, saying they are aware that the security agencies, especially the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Police have started investigating these acts of treason, and Nigerians are patiently waiting for the outcome of the investigation.
Omololu said the Yoruba nationality has no objection to any part of Nigeria seeking secession or desire to be ruled by the military and pledge fealty to any foreign power; it, however, advised them to reserve their right to do so till when they opt out of Nigeria.
The group said the Yoruba would decide how she wants to be governed in an independent nation if need be.
His words, “We, the people of Yoruba Nation, will never accept and will ever resist any thought, plan or attempt to truncate the democratically elected government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR or its sub-national entities under any guise. In our history, we have never promoted rebellion of any kind against a constitutional regime and we will never attempt to sponsor such for any reason.
“For the record, the Yoruba, an ethnic nationality of about 50 million, paid heavily for the sustenance of this federation from the unjust imprisonment of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the needless shedding of the blood of Chief S.L. Akintola, the annulment of the mandate, unjust incarceration and unexplained death of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the winner of the 1993 presidential election and the thousands of our people killed both in war and by cruel herdsmen.
“Despite all these provocations that reached the peak in the past eight years with the gruesome murder of Mrs Olufunke Olakunri, the beloved daughter of our revered leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, by some mindless Fulani marauders, we have never called for the violent overthrow of any democratically elected government of Nigeria. We have always resisted such and will still resist if it happens.”
Omololu commended Nigerians, especially the youth, for the peaceful exercise of their right to express their feelings to their governments. He said the governments at different levels have listened to the aggrieved public and would decisively address their grievances.
He commended President Tinubu for protecting Nigerians’ right to assemble freely and associate with other persons as guaranteed by Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) before, during, and after the protests. (New Telegraph)
