Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has noted that agitators for the independence of Yoruba Nation are on their own.
Different Yoruba interest groups stormed Akure on Saturday to hold a rally in support of an independent Yoruba nation.
Popular Yoruba Activist, Sunday Adeyemo popular known as Igboho and many others joined the rally in the state capital.
However, Akeredolu has insisted that he believes in one and indivisible Nigeria like other Southern Governors and that he respects the right of every citizens of the state to hold a rally or protest in as much as it does not affect the peace of the state.
He made this known in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Olabode Richard on Sunday.
The statement fully read;
“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.
“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.”
source : the city newspaper