By: Ade Adeleke
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has reacted to yesterday’s peaceful rally by Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho and other proponents of yoruba secession, who stormed Akure, the Ondo state capital to solicit full support of the the state residents for the proposed Yoruba nation or Oduduwa Republic.
In a Press Statement, the governor said he was not in support of divided Nigeria.
Below is the full text of the statement;
Press Statement
Yoruba Nation Agitators On Their Own – Akeredolu
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.
Signed:
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
May 23, 2021.
