Yoruba groups to reconcile Gani Adams, Sunday Igboho, OPC factions to end insecurity in south-west
Leaders of Pan-Yoruba and Itsekiri groups have called for the reconciliation of socio-cultural groups in the south-west to fight insecurity in the region.
The groups also demanded collective action against terrorism, religious intolerance and other threats to peace in the south-west and adjoining Yoruba-speaking areas.
They made the call in a communique issued on Wednesday after a meeting held in Lagos on Tuesday.
The meeting was convened by Adewale Adeoye, a journalist, Adekunle Adesokan and Jubril Ogundimu.
Participants included representatives of Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo; Banji Akintoye, an emeritus professor and advocate for Yoruba self-determination; and Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, as well as members of the Afenifere Renewal Group, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Yoruba Council of Elders, Agbekoya, Apapo Oodua Koya and other self-determination groups.
The groups identified terrorism, inter-group conflicts, poverty, inadequate electricity, religious intolerance and the promotion of division as major threats to the survival and development of Yorubaland.
They also called for an end to attacks between supporters of Adams and Igboho, who currently leads a security outfit known as Iru Ekun.
The groups said Yoruba territories are facing threats from terrorists and armed gangs involved in killings, kidnapping, rape and destruction of livelihoods.
The participants expressed concern over what they described as “increasing divisions and hate speech driven by religious and other interests”. They urged Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers in the region to reject extremism and preserve the Yoruba tradition of religious freedom and tolerance.
The groups also called for an immediate end to attacks against Yoruba self-determination leaders, including Adams, Akintoye and Igboho. They agreed that Pan-Yoruba groups should work together to promote peace and harmony and refrain from attacking one another through social media or other platforms.
“Any group or individual that goes against this position will be seen as undermining peace and unity in Yorubaland,” the communique reads.
On insecurity, the groups urged the federal and state governments to take decisive measures, including the speedy implementation of state police.
They also called for community defence by Yoruba and Itsekiri people and pledged to work with communities across the south-west, Kogi, Kwara, Itsekiri areas and Yoruba-speaking parts of Edo state.
The participants expressed support for democracy and called for free, fair and credible elections.
They also backed the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), while advocating stronger economic and cultural integration between the south-west and neighbouring areas.
The groups proposed the development of Warri-Lagos water and rail transportation links to promote economic and cultural integration with Itsekiri communities.
On electricity, they condemned the level of poverty and power shortages in the region, accusing electricity distribution companies of exploiting residents and undermining economic development.
The groups also reaffirmed their commitment to ethnic self-determination, describing it as a pathway to Yoruba political, economic and cultural freedom.
“Groups agree on the setting up of Working Group on Peace Building and Conflict Prevention in Western Nigeria to be made up of the conveners, which should expand the committee,” the communique reads.
“The Committee is to meet all warring groups to ensure peace, harmony and co-existence among Pan Yoruba groups.”
The meeting was also attended by representatives of several Yoruba organisations, including Oodua Youth Movement, Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups, Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movement, Yoruba Self Determination Movement, Afenifere Youth Movement, Oodua National Congress, Oodua Liberation Movement, Yoruba Nation and Think Yoruba First.
