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| Unsettling the South-West: The Resurgence of Yoruba Nation Agitation |
The Oyo State government has condemned the activities of the agitators, and 29 suspects are currently being held at Agodi Correctional facility. The police are investigating the sponsors and other elements of the secessionists.
The South-West geopolitical zone is no stranger to agitation for succession, but the recent resurgence has raised eyebrows. Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, a prominent figure in the Yoruba Nation agitation, led the charge for Oduduwa Republic in 2021. However, his campaign was met with rejection, and he became a target of the Federal Government. After a brief absence, Igboho returned to Nigeria, but his agitation seems to have taken a backseat. The question on everyone's mind is, what happened to his secession agitation? Was it because his kinsman, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assumed the presidency?
The recent attempted takeover of the Oyo State House of Assembly by suspected Yoruba Nation agitators has raised concerns. Dozens of agitators stormed the Assembly complex, attempting to hoist the flag of their new "Yoruba Nation." Ms. Modupe Abiola-Onitiri, who claimed to be the President of the Yoruba Nation, declared a new sovereign state, the Democratic Republic of Yorubaland. However, Sunday Igboho and Prof. Banji Akintoye, leaders of the Oduduwa Republic agitation, have disowned the new group.
The Oyo State government has condemned the activities of the agitators, and 29 suspects are currently being held at Agodi Correctional facility. The police are investigating the sponsors and other elements of the secessionists. Traditional rulers, security agencies, and religious bodies in Ibadan land have jointly spoken against the secessionist movements. The Oyo State Assembly has called for the installation of surveillance cameras around the state Secretariat, including the House of Assembly and media houses.
Analysts believe the renewed agitation may be propelled by the desire for restructuring, and the government must go beyond clamping down on perpetrators to find out the motive behind the agitation. The authorities in the South-West must demonstrate more commitment to taking care of the people and addressing the issues driving the agitation.
In conclusion, the resurgence of Yoruba Nation agitation has unsettled the South-West geopolitical zone. While the government must take action against those who break the law, it must also address the underlying issues driving the agitation. The people of the South-West demand a better life, and it is the responsibility of the government to provide it.
