AN ally of the recently released Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise known as Igboho, Dr Tunde Amusat has insisted that agitation for self-determination by Igbohi and his allies would not be truncated just because a Yoruba man, Bola Tinubu, emerged Nigeria’s president.

Amusat spoke in an interview with Saturday Sun on Saturday.

For the past few years, the Yoruba people in the South West of Nigeria have had to deal with insecurity and violence perpetuated by different groups. The insecurity ranged from kidnappings, mainly by suspected Fulani bandits, to cultism, and theft by Yoruba people themselves, which created a general sense of unease and instability in Yorubaland for a long time.

The quest for stoppage of incessant kidnappings, killings, destruction of farmlands, and raping of women by herdsmen gave rise to the Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Igboho. It was when the vices wanted to overcome the people of Igangan in Ibarapa zone of Oyo State.

Igboho met the calibre of people like Prof Banji Akintoye of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, and Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, in the struggle for liberation of Yoruba race. Adams started his own agitation in the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), following the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential poll, presumed to have been won by Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

However, Igboho’s house was violently at- tacked in Ibadan twice. The second attack led to the death of some people. He also escaped being arrested or killed in Nigeria. He was arrested at the Cotonou International Airport in Benin Re- public on his way to Germany, taken to court, and was subsequently placed in protective cus- tody in Cotonou. But he was released by President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, some days ago. Igboho has since travelled to Germany to be with his family. But he said he would come back to Ni- geria soon.

However, Saturday Sun spoke with Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, and Dr. Tunde Amusat, one of the leaders of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, which is the apex Yoruba self-determination group, on the rel- evance of the struggle, security in Yorubaland, what Igboho’s freedom mean to the struggle for self-determination, and lessons for Igboho and other agitators, as well as the government.

According to Iba Gani Adams, the past few months have seen a reduction in insecurity, thanks to a change in power and newly found political will to punish offenders. He noted that “the only security threat now is from the Middle belt, where bandits are overrunning some of the villages, as well as insecurity in Zamfara.” he added that Yoruba people themselves have to work on internal insecurity issues caused by cultism, kidnapping, and theft. These issues stem from rivalries between and among different cult groups, which have been killing members of rival groups, leading to the murder of future leaders. Adams stressed the need to fo- cus on solving these issues.

He stated further that despite the reduction in insecurity, the Yoruba people’s agitation for self-determination remains as relevant now as it was before. Adams believed that the struggle cannot die, and it shouldn’t, insisting on the need for true federalism or restructuring.

“This restructuring should include more power being devolved to the federating units to allow for regional governments like those of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s days,” he said.

According to him this form of government will allow each region to be held accountable for issues like education and will reduce the burden on the Federal Government. Adams added that the release of Sunday Igboho from detention in Benin Republic is a welcome development, saying anyone who has fought for freedom at some point would likely experience captivity, and that it’s an opportunity to learn and understand oneself and others. However, he doesn’t believe he’s in a position to speak on what lesson Igboho took away from the experience.

Under his leadership, he said Yoruba self-determination struggle has two primary organisations, including the socio-cultural organisation – Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), and The freedom fighter group – Yoruba One Voice (YOV).

Adams noted that the latter group has 98 percent of its members as intellectuals, who are agitating for self-determination or restructuring. He emphasized that the group advocates diplomacy and peace and is not violent in its approach.

“The release of Sunday Igboho in Benin Republic is a welcome development. When you are put in captivity, freedom will come one day.

It is a common saying among freedom fighters that anyone who has not gone to captivity among us must probably be an agent of the state.

I was detained for 18 months. It was when I was in the prison that I got to know those who were loyal to me and those that were moles. When I came back from prison, I sacked a number of them. Even, the remaining ones, they were still infiltrated.

“So, my prison experience taught me how to do things in different ways, how to be construc- tive in doing things, how to understand people more, way of life, and so on. But I cannot say anything about the lesson for Igboho on the struggle. He is in the best position to say that.

When you interview him, he will tell you by himself.

“Then, we have two organisations agitating for liberation of Yoruba race. The first one is Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), and the second one is Yoruba One Voice (YOV). The OPU is a socio-cultural organisation, while YOV is a freedom fighter.

“The YOV has 98 per cent of its membership as intellectuals, agitating for self-determination or restructuring. We have been adopting diplomacy in our approach. We are not violent. We are a peaceful organisation.

“It must be placed on record that Yoruba people are not violent. It is not in their character to be violent. They are very organised. But they are very wise. If you want to fight for Yoruba, you have to use your brain, and don’t attempt to over-shine them. If you do that, you will create more enemies.”

In the same vein, Dr. Tunde Amusat, one of the leaders of the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, in Ilana Omo Oodua believed that the struggle for self-determination would continue even with a Yoruba president in power.

He cited the legality of self-determination and the recognition of its legitimacy by the United Nations Charter, and that Nigeria is a signatory to the charter. He mentioned that while kidnap- ping has been a problem, it’s not a crime unique to one ethnic group.

Je stated: “The Yoruba Self-Determination Movement under the leadership of Prof Banji Akintoye gives kudos to President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic for releasing Igboho uncon- ditionally.” On the lessons for Igboho and other agita- tors, he said: “I don’t have such for Igboho, but the establishments, especially the military and paramilitary. They should learn that you cannot coerce people asking for self-determination into silence. You would recall that Sunday Igboho escaped death by the whiskers. Some people were killed in his house in Ibadan and his house was also vandalised.”

Amusat continued: “The struggle for self-determination for Yoruba race is still very much alive. It is not dead. I must say that the struggle will continue, whether a Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa or Fulani man is the President of Nigeria.

“Then, self-determination is not a crime. It not illegal. It is legitimate. It is recognised by the United Nations Charter, in which Nigeria is a signatory. So, Yoruba struggle for liberation is a legitimate cause. Therefore, it is good news that Igboho has been released. He is not a criminal. He has not committed any crime.

“People must also know that the struggle for Self-determination for Yoruba race is still relevant today. In the past, we did not take up arms in prosecuting the struggle. We are a peaceful people and we are going about the struggle peacefully.

“On insecurity in South West, it has really abated, though we still have pockets of kidnapping, armed robbery, and so on. But kidnapping is not a preserve of one ethnic group. So, South West is relatively peaceful. It is not in our character to take up arms against the Federal Government.

The Yoruba Self-Determination Movement’s Relevance remains as valid as it did before the pandemic. The people are advocating a Nigeria where regions can take charge of their affairs, deliver important public goods. (Saturday Sun)