These so-called Yoruba leaders are fanning the embers of ethnicity. One can however not blame them as Buhari is extremely culpable, as his policies and actions have essentially balkanized the nation. The last two Nigerian presidents (Jonathan and Buhari) have been the most ethnocentric and parochial Nigeria has ever known. Caution needs to be exercised here by Yoruba leaders and they definitely should not listen to the likes of Nnamdi Kanu whose agenda has always been personal and does not even remotely take the future of the Ndigbo nation into consideration.
Following the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti by suspected herdsmen on the Ore-Akure expressway last Friday, some Yoruba leaders said yesterday, that herdsmen have declared war against the South West.
Expressing their displeasure over the killing of Mrs. Olakunrin and other acts of banditry in the South West, the Yoruba leaders said they should not be taken as cowards. We’re not cowards — Okurounmu An Afenifere chieftain, Senator Femi Okurounmu who condemned the dastardly act, described the murder as a declaration of war against the Yoruba. Senator Okunrounmu said: “I am sure that the Yoruba are not cowards hence, they should fight back. “I feel very bitter and very angry and feel like finally the herdsmen have declared war against the Yorubaland.
Yes, it is nothing cut short of a declaration of war. “We have always known that we, Yoruba, are not cowards and this is the time to demonstrate that truly we are not cowards and as a result, I expect a strong reaction from the Yoruba people because this is not something we should just follow-up with just condemnation and recriminations.
Enough of that, it is a time to react and show that enough is enough.” We’re struggling with herdsmen invasion.
YCE Flaying the murder
President of the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, Col. Dansaaki Agbede (retd) sympathised with Chief Fasoranti saying: “It is sad that now we are struggling with the invasion of the Fulani herders, this kind of thing happened.” Agbede said: “It is time that we, as a Yoruba nation, use our combined efforts, commitment and unity to fight this. “We should not wait until we face this terrible challenge.” It’s a clear signal of war.
NANS Also condemning the act
The National Publicity Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Mr. Azeez Adeyemi said it was a clear signal of war. Adeyemi said: “As much as I don’t want to speak parochially and get carried away as a Yoruba person, rather I will be speaking on behalf of the entire Nigerian students, the fact remains that the act is highly condemnable, it is a clear signal of war which ordinarily one would have expected the Presidency to have taken immediate action against. “For crying out loud, the herdsmen have successfully established themselves as a terrorist group, with no respect for the rule of law, hiding under the belief of being the President’s eye. This is a call to action and we must collectively rise to the challenge."
Former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, while paying a condolence visit to Pa Fasoranti said: “This is despicably disturbing and this another very challenging situation in our country. We must collectively rise to this challenge “It’s a general problem of the security challenge that we have in this country. I think this is another very serious challenge that we must collectively rise to the challenge of. I have no doubt in my mind that incident like this would task the very fabric of our nation and would also require very profound political will.”
ARG demands appropriate action on its part
The Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, which condemned the murder, in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Mr. Olawale Oshun said: “The ARG shares in this colossal loss and commiserates with the bereaved family, especially Pa Fasoranti and Mrs. Olakunrin’s nucleus family. ARG, therefore, challenges the Yoruba governors and the socio-political leadership to rise up to the occasion, as it would now seem that the Federal government and its clinging to central policing has failed woefully in providing Nigerians the needed security. Our governors must realize that they shall be held responsible, individually and collectively, should they fail to prioritize the security issue and support one another in securing their people. The time to act is now as the Yoruba shouldn’t sleep with their eyes closed.
The security agencies tasked with safeguarding human lives and property must be held accountable as the nation’s corporate existence is very much at stake.” The statement further read.
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