Referendum Or Presidency? What Do The Yorubas Want?

Over the years, the Yorubas have been blowing hot and cold with their different agitations, none too strong. The year 1914, Nigeria was amalgamated by Sir Lord Lugard bringing the southern and northern protectorate to form a single colony. 1960, this colony gained independence, 1967 this colony went to war over secession with the southeastern part.

Many say the no Victor, No vanquished line is a hoax and failed dream, as this nation was headed for the rocks right after independence.

In recent times, the Fulani herdsmen’s menace has been ravaging the country from different sides, the presidency nonchalant towards the plight of the different regions. To make matters worse, the northern leaders sit on their high horse spewing whatnot, Miyetti Allah boldly defending and calling for more bloodshed, no regards whatsoever for human life.

The silence of the presidency on the gruesome killings going has only served to spurn the regions to their own means. The Yorubas were one of the staunch supporters of the Buhari government, the 2019 elections a testimony seeing the numbers he gathered there.

The bible said affliction shall not rise a second time, yet the affliction not only rose a second time but dug in firmly, and at the time the Yorubas let it fester, Why? Maybe because their brother was part of the charade but then there were already groups like the Oduduwa Republic agitation calling for the independence of the Yoruba nation.

This begs the question what do the Yorubas really want? A Yoruba presidency? Or their own Autonomy through the self-determination route?

Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba political activist has stepped up in recent times to agitate for the interest of the Yorubas. He is not a preacher of love, in fact, he has been calling for the Yorubas to take up arms and protect their regions and life. In many ways, Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu of the IPOB group are similar, one thing is major for them ‘the interest of their people’ and their means to them is quite questionable.

A remarkable difference between these men is that one is labeled a terrorist while the other is an activist, do the maths.

In times like this, it boils down to different regions standing up for themselves. Sunday Igboho and other groups came to fill the gap for the Yorubas.

Supporters of the Yoruba rights activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho on Sunday stormed Agege in Lagos State to garner support and solidarity for the establishment of the Yoruba Nation.

Igboho stated there is no basis for ‘one Nigeria’ as insecurity spreads to the southwest region, adding the only solution is for the Yoruba nation to stand on its own.

On Thursday, March 25, the agitation for self-determination by the Yorubas was brought to the forefront again. Some Yoruba groups gathered to deliberate on this matter citing a provision for the right of the Yorubas under the African Charter.

The governor of Ondo state will beg to differ as he has vehemently stated that anyone calling for the Yoruba nation is not welcome in his state. The governor will not be the first to issue a disclaimer, other groups have come to show solidarity with the Buhari-led administration.

The IPOBs have been agitating for Biafra for a long time, they have no interest whatsoever in the presidency their stands are very much clear. The Yorubas, on the other hand, are torn in-between a lot of things, the question on people’s minds remains, What do the Yorubas want? Is their agitation a means to get the presidency?