Emmanuel OchayiThe Supreme Council of the Yoruba Self-determination Movement, led by Professor Banji Akintoye, has expressed strong reservations about the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) decision to resort to military intervention in the Republic of Niger.
In a statement released after their meeting in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, the movement emphasized its preference for dialogue rather than military action.
The statement conveyed, “We Yoruba people of the Southwestern states of Nigeria including the Yoruba populations of the Nigerian states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti, plus the Yoruba populations of of Kwara and Kogi States and the Itsekiri get. ‘Yoruba people of the Delta State, hereby make the following statement to Nigeria, to West Africa, to Africa and to the world, concerning the ongoing situation in the Republic of Niger.”
“We Yoruba Nation totally reject any intention or plan by Nigeria, by any West African state, or by any combination of West African states, to levy war against the Republic of Niger.
“We acknowledge, from all that have been manifesting on the news media since the military coup in Niger Republic, that the overwhelming majority of the people of Niger Republic are massively and fervently supportive of the change of government in their country, and we strongly urge that their wish be respected.”
Highlighting the historical kinship between the Yoruba and Hausa nations, the statement emphasized the shared heritage predating European colonial influence.
It stated, “We inform the world that we Yoruba and the Hausa nation whose Niger people constitute the majority of the population of Niger, are sister nations, that for countless centuries before the coming of European colonialism we Yoruba and Hausa were very closely related, that we were two large trading nation’s trading side by side in the vast territories of the West African interior, that many Hausa lived happily in Yoruba towns while many Yoruba lived happily in Hausa towns. We want the world to know now that we Yoruba do not want any harm to come to our Hausa brethren..”
The Yoruba nation, therefore, earnestly implored Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, a son of the Yoruba soil, to withdraw any contemplation of an invasion of Niger Republic and to completely eliminate the military option from the ongoing situation.
Additionally, the movement urged for the reversal of any sanctions that Nigeria had imposed on Niger Republic.
The Yoruba Self-determination Movement reiterated its firm commitment to peaceful dialogue as the preferred approach to resolving the crisis in the Republic of Niger and called for the preservation of harmony among the West African nations.
“Therefore, we Yoruba nation strongly urge the president of Nigeria, our son President Bola Tinubu, to cancel totally any intention or plan for any invasion of Niger Republic. We urge him to see to it that the military option is completely taken off the table in the ongoing situation. We also strongly urge him to reverse any sanctions that have been embarked upon by Nigeria against Niger Republic.” they added.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
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