Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
Residents of Osun State trooped out en masse on Saturday to stage a peaceful demonstration in solidarity for the proposed Yoruba Nation.
Before they arrived at the venue of the rally, Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo, the State capital was at a standstill as the Yoruba Nation agitators staged the peaceful protest to project their demands.
Armed with placards and distributing handbills to residents, the agitators marched from the November 27 bridge in Osogbo through Ogo-Oluwa, Aregbe junction, Fakunle, Ola-Iya and Odi Olowo areas.
Security operatives including Nigerian Police and DSS had earlier barricaded the venue to prevent the protesters from gathering.
However, the armed men paved the way upon sighting the well-coordinated crowd as they peacefully sang pro-Yoruba songs and anti-Nigeria melodies without a dint of fear.
The protesters, led from the front by the Secretary-General of Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO), Arc. George Akinola, Head of IOO Youth Development, Dr Akin Adejuwon and other agitators, averred that the actualisation of Yoruba Nation is an idea whose time is ripe.
Speaking with Nigerian NewsDirect, Dr Akin Adejuwon who is also a lecturer of the Institute of Cultural Studies at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife said that the rationale behind the rally is to enlighten and sensitise the youths.
According to him, “The youth are the owners of the Yoruba land. And the Fulani, enslavers and murderers, must not take our land from us.
“A thousand generation of the Fulani herdsmen cannot overpower the Yoruba youths. We are not one of those who live in the bush.
“We are here to awaken the youth’s consciousness to what is right. We are here to educate the youth against voting in 2023.”
The highlight of the gathering was around 1.45 pm when Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho stormed the venue of the Yoruba Nation’s Rally.
Adeyemo while speaking at the protest said there will be no election in Yoruba land in 2023.
He added that the Yoruba nation must leave now as it is no more a slave to the northerners.
He further harped on unity among Yorubas, asking all that are aggrieved to come together.