Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has warned a self-acclaimed O’odua Activist, Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise known as Igboho against misleading the public that he is in support of the establishment of the Yoruba Nation.
The governor who was reacting to the Yoruba Nation Rally that held in Akure, Ondo State capital on Saturday stated that he does not support the agitation by the secessionists.
The New Diplomat had reported that the Yoruba Nation agitators took to the streets of Akure on Saturday to demand for the secession of the Southwest region from Nigeria.
Igboho who had in recent times championed the secession call was also present at the rally. Speaking at the rally, the O’odua Activist stated that Akeredolu is aware of the rally, adding that the Governor has supported the agitation.
“The governor is aware of these things we are doing, we have his support. We are no more under the Fulani. All we want is Yoruba Nation,” Igboho had said.
However, Akeredolu, in his reaction denied supporting the rally or Igboho, adding that he believes in an indivisible Nigeria.
The Governor who reacted in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, on Sunday, stated that the agitators should not misconstrue the fact that he allowed them to hold the rally to mean support for the secessionists agenda.
Recall that Akeredolu in March had issued a stern warning to all the Yoruba Nation agitators to leave Ondo State out of the Yoruba Nation agenda.
According to the Governor, the Ondo people had elected to stay in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as constituted at present, adding that he would not allow any gathering in any part of the state in respect of establishing the Yoruba Nation.
However, in the statement, the Governor explained that he allowed the agitators to hold their rally in the state because they have the constitutional right to hold a peaceful rally.
The statement reads, “It has come to the knowledge of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, that some group of persons who held a rally under the cover of what they term ‘secessionist agitations’ in Akure, on Saturday, May 22, 2021, erroneously claimed to have had his support for the rally.
“Governor Akeredolu wishes to state clearly that while he acknowledges the right of individuals and groups to hold peaceful rallies, it must not be misconstrued to mean support for secessionist agenda and or balkanization of the nation. Far from it.
“Unequivocally, the Governor’s opinion on the Akure rally or any other of its ilk, is only to the effect that he is not opposed to any civil protest which is not in breach of the extant laws of the Nation. He neither believes, nor supports the quest for the Yoruba Nation outside of Nigeria in the manner canvassed. Governor Akeredolu stands by a virile, united and indivisible Nigeria as demanded by the Southern Governors’ Forum.
“Therefore, the vigour, zeal, leadership and candour displayed by Governor Akeredolu for a just and fair Nigeria is altruistic, and borne out of patriotism for the Nation as well as love for his people, the Yoruba ethnic nationality.
“It is important, therefore, to state without any equivocation that the Yoruba Nation secessionist promoters do not enjoy any lending hand in Governor Akeredolu.”
