Akeredolu: I don’t support agitation for Yoruba nation — I believe in united Nigeria

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, says he does not support the quest for a Yoruba nation.

The governor said this in reaction to a statement made by Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho, at a rally in Akure on Saturday.

“The governor is aware of these things we are doing, we have his support. We are no more under the Fulani. All we want is Yoruba nation,” he had said.

Igboho had declared Yoruba as a separate nation and demanded the secession of the south-west states from Nigeria.

In a statement signed by Richard Olatunde, the governor’s spokesman on Sunday, Akeredolu said though he acknowledges the right of individuals to hold peaceful rallies, he does not support secessionist agenda.

The governor said he supports a united and indivisible Nigeria.

“It has come to the knowledge of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, that some group of persons who held a rally under the cover of what they term ‘secessionist agitations’ in Akure, on Saturday, May 22, 2021, erroneously claimed to have had his support for the rally,” the statement said.

“Governor Akeredolu wishes to state clearly that while he acknowledges the right of individuals and groups to hold peaceful rallies, it must not be misconstrued to mean support for secessionist agenda and or balkanization of the nation. Far from it.

“Unequivocally, the Governor’s opinion on the Akure rally or any other of its ilk, is only to the effect that he is not opposed to any civil protest which is not in breach of the extant laws of the Nation.

“He neither believes, nor supports the quest for the Yoruba Nation outside of Nigeria in the manner canvassed. Governor Akeredolu stands by a virile, united and indivisible Nigeria as demanded by the Southern Governors’ Forum.

“Therefore, the vigour, zeal, leadership and candour displayed by Governor Akeredolu for a just and fair Nigeria is altruistic, and borne out of patriotism for the Nation as well as love for his people, the Yoruba ethnic nationality.

“It is important, therefore, to state without any equivocation that the Yoruba Nation secessionist promoters do not enjoy any lending hand in Governor Akeredolu.”