More than 100 Pan-Yoruba and Itsekiri organisations have moved to end the lingering disagreements among prominent self-determination groups, particularly supporters of the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, and the leader of Irun Ekun, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The groups, which met in Lagos on Tuesday and reviewed their resolutions on Wednesday, also constituted a Working Group on Peace Building and Conflict Prevention in Western Nigeria to mediate disputes among Yoruba and Itsekiri organisations.
The meeting was convened by journalist, Adewale Adeoye; Chief Adekunle Adesokan; and Alhaji Jubril Ogundimu.
In a communique signed by the three conveners, the participants demanded an immediate halt to attacks and verbal exchanges involving Adams, Igboho, former President of the World Yoruba Congress, Prof. Banji Akintoye, and leaders of various Oodua Peoples Congress and other self-determination organisations.
The groups warned that continued attacks among Yoruba leaders and organisations could undermine efforts to promote unity, security, economic development and cultural integration across the region.
They also directed the various organisations to stop using social media and other platforms to attack one another, noting that social media had increasingly become a channel for distorting Yoruba history, values and heritage.
The communique stated, “The attacks on Aare Gani Adams, Professor Banji Akintoye, Sunday Igboho and leaders of other Pan Yoruba/Self Determination leaders must henceforth stop.”
The newly established working group, initially comprising the conveners, is expected to be expanded and tasked with engaging organisations and individuals involved in disputes in an effort to resolve their differences.
The participants identified insecurity, terrorism, poverty, electricity shortages, religious intolerance, inter-group conflicts and attempts to promote division as major threats to the survival and development of the Yoruba people.
They expressed concern over killings, kidnappings, rape and destruction of livelihoods in parts of Yorubaland, calling on the Federal and state governments to take stronger measures to protect residents.
The organisations also renewed their demand for the speedy implementation of state police, while calling for community-based security mechanisms involving indigenous Yoruba and Itsekiri communities.
On religion, the groups warned against the spread of extremism, urging Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers across Yorubaland to preserve the region’s longstanding culture of religious freedom and tolerance.
They condemned attacks allegedly targeting traditional worshippers, Christians, Muslims and freethinkers, insisting that religious disagreements must not degenerate into violence.
The organisations further called for stronger cooperation among Yoruba and Itsekiri communities across the South-West, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states.
According to them, greater regional integration would strengthen political, economic and cultural ties while improving the ability of communities to confront security and developmental challenges.
The groups also urged traditional rulers across Yorubaland to protect the dignity of their offices and promote unity, saying monarchs should devote their resources to improving the social, cultural and economic conditions of their subjects rather than engaging in rivalries.
On democracy, the organisations reaffirmed their support for democratic governance and condemned attempts to undermine the will of the people.
They demanded free, fair and credible elections, describing credible polls as essential to sustainable development.
The meeting also expressed support for the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria and urged the South-West states to strengthen regional cooperation.
The participants proposed greater infrastructure integration between the South-West and adjoining Yoruba-speaking areas of Kogi, Kwara, Edo and Itsekiri communities in the Niger Delta.
They specifically advocated the development of Warri-Lagos water and railway transportation networks to boost economic and cultural links between the Itsekiri and South-West communities.
The organisations also raised concerns over rising poverty and poor electricity supply, accusing electricity distribution companies of undermining economic activities in the region.
They called for urgent reforms in the power sector, arguing that reliable electricity was critical to industrial growth, job creation and improved living standards.
On self-determination, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to the principle, describing it as fundamental to the political, economic and cultural aspirations of the Yoruba people.
The meeting was attended by representatives of several organisations, including the Oodua Youth Movement, Agbekoya, Ilana Omo Oodua, Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups, Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movement, Yoruba Self Determination Movement and Oodua International Democratic Movement.
Others included the Yoruba Artisan and Traders Association, South West Mechanics Association, Federation for Yoruba Consciousness and Culture, O’odua Republic Front, Afenifere Youth Movement, Apapo Omo Oodua, Yoruba Revolutionary Movement, Afenifere Renewal Group, Yoruba Council Worldwide, Ibile Movement, Oodua National Congress, O’odua Liberation Movement, Oodua Women Media, Apapo Oodua Koya, Yoruba Nation, Think Yoruba First, United Self Determination Groups and South West Retired Officers Forum.
Representatives attended from Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Kogi, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states, as well as Yoruba-speaking communities in Edo and Delta states and Itsekiri communities in the Niger Delta.
The groups said their resolutions were aimed at preventing further escalation of disagreements within the self-determination movement and creating a platform through which differences could be resolved through dialogue rather than confrontation.
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