Akintoye and Igboho’s breakup plea causes division among Yoruba groups
The campaign for Yoruba Nation’s independence from Nigeria gained momentum as prominent advocates, Professor Adebanji Akintoye and Chief Sunday Adeyemo (also known as Sunday Igboho), submitted a petition to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging the UK’s involvement in their quest for secession.
Accompanying Sunday Igboho were key figures such as Ifeladun Apapo’s Vice President, Mr. Fatai Ogunribido, and Yoruba World Media’s General Secretary, Alhaja Adeyeye, alongside others involved in the movement. Together, Professor Akintoye and Igboho have long been at the forefront of the effort to separate the Yoruba people from Nigeria.
Akintoye, a respected historian, has argued repeatedly that the original agreement uniting Yoruba with Nigeria has expired, advocating for Yoruba sovereignty. He also claimed that Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, a former Chief of Army Staff, once visited Igboho in prison, offering billions of naira in exchange for abandoning the separatist agenda.
Sunday Igboho’s spokesperson, Mr. Olayomi Koiki, confirmed the submission of the letter but kept its contents confidential, only stating that it concerns their mission to leave Nigeria. While the Nigerian government has remained silent, both Akintoye and Igboho remain determined.
Akintoye has consistently pointed to injustices faced by the Yoruba people, particularly at the hands of Fulani herdsmen, and believes that Yoruba independence is the only solution. He also urged the South-West governors and traditional rulers to recognize September 23 as Yoruba Unity Day, emphasizing the unity and cultural pride of the Yoruba people.
He further praised the Yoruba nation’s values, such as respect for individual rights, tolerance, and a deep belief in self-governance. The perceived threat from Fulani bandits, who he claims are committing atrocities such as murder, rape, and land theft in Yoruba territories, has led Akintoye to call for an urgent separation to avoid further harm.
In support of this movement, groups like the Yoruba Commitment Forum and the Oduduwa United People Association have backed Akintoye’s push for a peaceful dissolution of Nigeria, advocating for separate nations, including a Yoruba nation, an Arewa nation, and a Biafran state.
However, not all Yoruba leaders agree. The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), through its Secretary General, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, has argued against secession, preferring to address grievances through constitutional reforms and restructuring Nigeria. They believe breaking away would only lead to more chaos.
Other figures like Dr. Kunle Olajide, former YCE Secretary, and Ambassador Yemi Farounmbi also voiced opposition to Akintoye’s calls, with Farounmbi suggesting that restructuring Nigeria would provide a more viable path forward than outright secession.
In summary, while some Yoruba leaders continue to push for an independent Yoruba nation, others advocate for working within Nigeria’s framework to address ethnic concerns through peaceful reforms.
