Different reactions to Yoruba secession threat

EMINENT Nigerians, weekend, were divided over threats by some Yoruba leaders to pull the South-West zone out of Nigeria and become an independent country.
Led by General Adeyinka Adebayo (retd), Yoruba Leaders of Thought after a summit in Ibadan last week, where they dissected the recent attack and kidnap of former Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae by Fulani herdsmen, called for restructuring of the country into true federalism or they would exit the nation.
The Yoruba leaders said in a communique: “Realizing that the crisis that we are witnessing presently over the actions of the Fulani herdsmen is a function of the refusal of Nigeria to practice true federalism, which would guarantee significant autonomy to the constituent units, we demand an immediate restructuring of Nigeria with the implementation of the report of 2014 National Conference as a starting point.
“If we do not see any step in this direction within a reasonable time, Yoruba may have to reconsider their place in a union that cannot protect them and use all legitimate and peaceful means to attain self-determination.”


Ohanaeze
Reacting to the threat, yesterday, apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, asked the Federal Government to halt incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen nationwide and implement the recommendations of the National Conference.
In a telephone interview, Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Joe Nworgu, said: “FG should implement the confab report, which was decided by consensus. Its recommendation dealt squarely with issues of herdsmen attacks.
“The menace of herdsmen should not be allowed to snowball. Ohanaeze has adopted the wait and see attitude given Nigeria’s history. The Federal Government should be fair to all sides of the nation and not push people to the wall.”

Enugu Unity Forum
Another pan-Igbo group, Enugu Unity Forum, EUF, called for caution.
Chairman, EUF, Chief Tahil Ochi, said: “Nigeria has attained heights that nobody should be talking of secession. The Igbo tried it and it set Nigeria back 10 years.
“Government should, as a matter of urgency, address the issue of Fulani herdsmen to avoid ethnic violence, because it is not only in the South-West that the damage is done.”

Babatope
Former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said the Yoruba people should come together and fight for their rights rather than secede.
He said: “As a Yoruba man, I cannot take a different position from what my fellow Yoruba men are saying and I am sure the Yoruba leaders, who addressed that press conference, might have seen some dangers that will threaten the co-existence of Yoruba race before they voiced out their opinion.
“However, I will say that we should stay together and fight for our rights rather than thinking of seceding. Nigeria belongs to all of us and we should stay together and fight for the common interest of the Yoruba race.”

Uncalled for
— Mohammed
Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, who condemned the attack on Falae’s farm and subsequent kidnap, said the Yoruba elders’ threat was uncalled for.
His words: “I condemn the abduction of Olu Falae. It is absolutely uncalled for and I also condemn in strong terms the alleged vandalization of his farm.
“I have no evidence to confirm whether these people were actually Fulani people because we have about 54 countries in Africa. Out of the 54, there are about 33 Fulani towns and settlements. So I will call on the security agencies that anyone that is caught should be dealt with mercilessly.
“The statement by the Yoruba elders is uncalled for and unnecessary. Nigeria remains one indivisible entity.”

Achuzia
On his part, Civil War hero, Col Joe Achuzia (retd), said: “The herdsmen have been a source of concern in the country. And the problems they cause are becoming endemic.
“The threat of secession has been in the air and everybody knows the position of the Yoruba on it. The Yoruba are in a good position to state how they feel about issues that concern them. It is their right.
“However, it is the Yoruba, who made it possible for the Fulani to come to power. We the Igbo are just spectators; we are not concerned about secession. All we care for is equity and justice. As far as we are concerned, what Nigeria needs now is justice and equity.”

Arewa Youths
National President of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, appealed to the Yoruba not to secede promising to initiate a peace process between Fulani leaders and the South-West.
He said: “I do not think there is need for the people of the South-West to secede. I know that something went wrong and nobody is happy with the development.
“I intend to initiate a meeting to bring the Yoruba leaders and Fulani leaders together alongside our own people so that we can resolve it amicably.”

We’re not part of it—ARG
However, a leading Yoruba pressure group, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, dissociated itself from the secession threat, saying it was not part of the ultimatum.