June 12: Why we held Yoruba Nation rally in 174 countries — YOV

Yoruba One Voice on Monday gave reasons for the global rally held on Saturday, June 12 in 174 countries across the six continents of the world.

Speaking in one of the rallies held in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Secretary General of the apex Yoruba Diaspora Group, Dr. Sina Okanlomo, in his speech, said the Yoruba Diaspora group had since October 1,2020 made overreaching quest for an exit from Nigeria because of the glaring administrative inbalance of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last six years.

The YOV scribe said the clamour for a Yoruba nation became imperative amidst various imbalances in administrative structure and employment, evil amalgamation treaty, continuous violation of human right, nepotism, corruption, injustice, insecurity and terrorism under President Buhari’s watch.

Okanlomo added that the rally was a testimony of the resolve of Yorubas in the Diaspora to uncoupling the South-west region from Nigeria, thereby putting their destiny in their own hand.

While condemning the Igangan massacre, YOV described the attack as a pre-determined carnage that had undermined the efforts of the police and other security agencies, stressing that the blood of those killed would always seek justice.

“Terrorism is now at its worst level in the history of our nation, it has reached an unacceptable level, indeed at alarming level, particularly if we consider Igangan carnage, it is time to ask the Fulanis to go home. Those of us abroad are tired. We couldn’t come back home because the reports back home is very scary”.

Dr Okanlomo, however, dismissed as untenable the beliefs that Nigeria’s unity is sacred, stressing that those working against Yoruba nation’s struggle are betrayers.

“Yoruba independence is not negotiable. We cannot attain our full potentials within a contraption called Nigeria, as long as we remain in the geographical boundary created by the British. We are not free people but a slave, how can we accept Fulani domination as an alternative to British colonization? This is shameful, it must be totally rejected by all and sundry at all cost.

The YOV scribe  said the choice of June 12 for the Yoruba nation rally was borne out of the desire of all the Yorubas in the diaspora be free from Fulani hegemony, maintaining that June 12 symbolises hope for freedom and liberty.

“When people are told that they are born to be perpetual drawer of water, hewer of wood, only good for permanent enslavement and domination, that is the day their journey begins,  freedom  justice and equity is very difficult to surrender. Those are the words of  Bashorun MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of flawless June 12 election which was annulled by errant Fulani oligarchy.”

“We are determined to put off the Hausa/Fulani chains of bondage and be free. We are determined to strive, struggle and fight for as long as it takes to break loose from the subjugation and yoke of vampire neo- colonialists.

The struggle would take so many shapes. There would be high and lows. There would be victories along the way and occasional setbacks. But nothing, no force, no person or group of persons would be able to impede the march of freedom and the march to freedom”, Okanlomo said.

Okanlomo, said despite the COVID-19 restriction in some countries, the rallies were held via zoom, with large turnouts.