Monarchs, women and traditional chiefs in Egbaland of Ogun State on Friday rejected the call for secession in the Southwest region of Nigeria championed by O’odua Activist Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Igboho.
The coalition of traditional rulers and other prominent individuals in Ogun Central made this known, while declaring their unflinching support for the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo following the recent verbal attack on the revered monarch.
Oba Gbadegbo had earlier rejected the call by Igboho and other Yoruba groups to pull the Southwest from the rest of the country, stating that the failure of Nigeria could spell doom for the entire black race.
The paramount ruler of Egbaland noted that the Southwest could not afford to go through a war, appealing to the secessionists to embrace peace.
Following the comments of Oba Gbadebo, Olayomi Koiki, spokesman of Igboho criticised the monarch for publicly declaring that he was not in support of the secession of the Southwest.
Koiki, who reacted in a viral video threatened to invade the Monarch’s palace for not supporting the cause of his boss, adding that the establishment of the Yoruba nation is the only way forward. His comment has since sparked controversy.
However, the coalition of Egba traditional leaders, trooped out in support of Oba Gbadebo, and in support of ‘One Nigeria’, Friday.
The Egba traditional leaders has now joined the list of Yoruba groups and individuals who have disowned the secession of the Southwest from Nigeria.
Speaking, Osi Egba, High Chief Bode Mustapha, condemned the verbal attack at Oba Gbadebo, describing the comments of Igboho’s spokesman as unwarranted.
According to the chief, the comments of Koiki was ill-advised, and a desecration of the Yoruba’s respect for the truth, the royalty, and the elders.
Similarly, Egba Women Chiefs and market leaders led by Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson, stormed the Ake Palace in Abeokuta to show solidarity and renew their loyalty to the king.
Lawson urged Oba Gbadebo to continue to stand by his clarion call for justice and peace, not only in Egbaland but also in Nigeria. In her words, ”we don’t want war in Nigeria.”
Olu of Itori, Oba AbdulFatai Akamo also vowed to always “defend the good name and the integrity of the Alake.”
Oba Akamo stated this during an homage visit to the Alake of Egbaland.
The monarch assure the Alake that the Yorubas are strongly behind him, adding the he should not be bothered by what he called the “misguided utterances of social media hoodlums.”
In his response, Oba Gbadebo appreciated the Egba traditional leaders, well wishers, for their support to pursue truth and integrity.
Oba Gbadebo once again pleaded with the Yorubas to desist from any action that will turn the Southwest into a theatre of war.
