A Yoruba Elders group, under the aegis of Yoruba Commitment Leaders have called on politicians not to use the forthcoming governorship election in Lagos state to change the demography of the state and by extension the Yoruba South West states to gain power.
This warning is contained in a statement issued during a press conference held at Sagamu,Ogun state Wednesday.
Being the text of the Press Conference held on Wednesday the 8th of March, 2023 in Sagamu titled : STOP THE EXPENSIVE JOKE GOING ON IN LAGOS
and signed by Otunba Tayo Onayemi and others
Full statement below:. *Iba Omode, Iba Agba, Iba Olodumare*. Our attention has been drawn to the dangerous permutations going on in Lagos like it is done in a Lottery house and we as Leaders of various Yoruba Nation agitation groups under the aegis of *Yoruba Commitment Leaders* have come to the conclusion that we must add our voice to sound a note of serious warnings to anyone or group of people who may be toying with the idea of changing our demography in Yorubaland, including Lagos, to forget the suicidal thoughts once and for all. First, we congratulate the President elect, H.E Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his election as the President of Nigeria. We, Yoruba, are proud of you just like other tribes who voted for you in Nigeria. Congratulations Sir.
Igbo neither against Yoruba nor regard Lagos as No Man’s Land – Igbo stakeholders
*We are NOT about politics and we do not seek to interfere in the political processes but we are part and parcel of the native defenders of Yoruba (Nation’s) territorial integrity which MUST NOT be impugned upon or threatened in any way. As Elders who know history, we are aware that anyone who seeks another person’s land for grabs and domination, is not only a thief and an aggressor, such a thief and greedy fellow comes with threat, violence and war. Yoruba Nation will NOT allow any discontent tribe in Nigeria or in Africa to try such on our soil, NEVER.* Yet we are the World acclaimed most tolerant, understanding and hospitable race on earth. Our urbaine and cosmopolitan nature must not be taken for stupidity in any form. To think or act in disregard of the above, will attract some consequences from Yoruba people Worldwide.
*Bi oju ba nsepin , oye ki a fi han an ki o le mo wipe obun loun je.*
*Ma si fi oko mi da ona, ojo kan la n ko o.*
In 1880 for an example in Lagos, the British colonial masters didn’t know how to intrude into Yoruba affairs, they pretended to be settling Obaship tussles between Akintoye and Kosoko in conjunction with Britain before they finally colonized Lagos, a Yoruba settlement. Years later when our great grandfathers realized the real intention of the British empire at taking over our lands, our great grandfathers revolted viciously giving rise to *Àwa o ni sanwo onibode, o di le*. Consequently ,the British failed and our lands reverted to our great grandfathers. If Britain failed, no tribe will be allowed to overrun Lagos, nay Yoruba land. We enjoin our Youths in Lagos to pick up this gauntlet to defend and preserve their inheritance which is Lagos and Eko Akete.
To the Elders in Lagos and the entire Yoruba land, please teach your Children our rich history, (heritage & in particular our language),. Let them imbibe our culture and go out to vote in defense of Yorubaland any time, any day and anywhere. *E lo fi ibo yin s’oro nigba kuu gba. Ajeeji kan ko gbodo mo orori afoju. O d’eewo!* Thank you all for coming and for your time.
Signed by Leaders:
Otunba Tayo Onayemi. Omooba Adekunle Odunmorayo
Alh Abiola Alao
Dr Tayo Adesanya, Asoju Oba
Otunba Tayo Onayemi
Engineer Paul Oni
Aare Dr Kunle Oshodi
Chief Diran Bamigbopa
Chief Mrs Buky Tunde Oshunrinde
Barr Akeem Aponmade
Dr Stephen Olutoki
Mrs Sola Maja
