The Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, led by Prof Banji Akintoye and Chief Sunday Adeyemo (Sunday Igboho), has addressed an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging for a peaceful separation of the Yoruba people from Nigeria.
Dated April 17, 2024, and co-signed by Akintoye, Igboho, and Ola Ademola, the letter requested President Tinubu to establish a negotiation team within the next two months to facilitate the exit of the Yoruba people from Nigeria.
This development follows recent events, including the invasion of Oyo State Government House by armed agitators attempting to hoist flags, resulting in the remand of 29 individuals by a magistrates’ court in Ibadan.
Both Akintoye and Igboho distanced themselves from the violent incident, emphasizing their commitment to peaceful means of self-determination.
In their open letter, the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement highlighted ongoing security challenges faced by the Yoruba people, including attacks, killings, and kidnappings attributed to Fulani herders.
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They expressed a lack of confidence in restructuring as a solution, citing continued insecurity and violence.
The group alleged significant casualties among Yoruba people due to Fulani attacks since 2015 and advocated for the Yoruba Nation’s separation from Nigeria in response to these challenges.
The letter urged the Nigerian Federal Government to engage in negotiations and invited international observers from the United Nations, African Union, and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to participate in the dialogue.
They committed to providing a negotiation team once the government responds affirmatively to their request.
This correspondence underscores ongoing efforts by Yoruba leaders to pursue self-determination through diplomatic channels amidst security concerns and calls for dialogue with the federal government.
