Ahead of next week general election, a group of Yoruba civic and self-determination groups under the aegis of Yoruba summit have called for free, fair and credible election in the country. They also urged the Yorubas to exercise self control, restrain and ensure that violence does not occur anywhere in the land.
The leader of the groups, Prof. Banji Akintoye made this call yesterday at a press brief held in Adeniyi Jones, Lagos. He said that the desires of almost all Nigerians is that elections be peaceful. The group noted that Yoruba nation needs to keep clearly and boldly in sight the safety, security and generally well being of families, villages, town and cities.
According to him, “We do not have anything to gain from violent outbursts or from hurting or killing one another or from destroying any valuable properties belonging tour own people. Let us all behave in ways that will demonstrate and honour highly advanced civilisations.
Prof. Akintoye, former senator of second republic further said it is important to bear in mind, the kind of developments that can follow after the elections, noting that Yorubaland had suffered much from violent destructions of farms, attacks on villages, killings of men, women and children, kidnappings and extortion of money for ransome.
“In various parts of our homeland, many farmers have abandoned farming altogether. Some localities of our homeland are living under conditions of violent and primitive occupation and subjection.”
He said they must be aware that the aggressions against our homeland and people can increase suddenly after election.
They however express their readiness to protect and defend the people against any attacks. “We are saying that enough is enough, together we can build this country. No tribe alone can build it, we are not going to leave our country.” We need to prepare and defend our families homes, farms, village, churches, mosques and every neighbourhood. In our towns and cities. Our obvious preparedness and readiness for the protection and defence of every area of our home land can discourage attackers And ward off attacks.
“But if they still come attacking, we must meet them with manly braveness and throw them back. On no condition must we flee before them. On no condition must we abandon our farms or surrender any part of our land to them.”Yoruba must resolve that we shall not die and that under God shall live to prosper again and to revive the strength, capabilities and prosperity of our Yoruba nation.
As a significant part of Nigeria, and in fulfilment of our patriotic duty to our country, we Yoruba urged all other people’s of Nigeria to see to it that these coming election shall be orderly peaceful. Moreso, the groups said Yoruba supports restructuring. Yorubas are civilised nation builders that have the capability to build.
Also, Yinka Oguntimeyin, who represented the Aare Ona kakanfo, Are Gani Adams said Federal government, Independent National Electoral Commssion (INEC) must ensure credible election. Stressing that there is no alternative to free and fair elections.
The convener of Yoruba Koya, Otunba Deji Osibogun said there is need to reclaim Yoruba heritage and to rebirth the new nation. He therefore condemned vote buying emphasised that the groups will expose anything that is unscrupulous in Yorubaland” The election in Osun and Ekiti states is a disgrace to Yorubaland. We shall expose anything that is unscrupulous in Yorubaland, Yoruba people will not be consume in violence.
