Afenifere Criticizes Yoruba Nation Agitation, Dissociates from Akintoye and Igboho

Afenifere, a prominent pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, has strongly dissociated itself from the agitation for the creation of a sovereign Yoruba Nation out of Nigeria. The organization described the call for the exit of Yoruba people from Nigeria as "undesirable, self-serving, and unnecessary."

Afenifere's position comes after the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, led by Prof. Banji Akintoye and Chief Sunday Adeyemo (alias Sunday Igboho), wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, seeking a peaceful breakaway of Yoruba people from Nigeria. The letter cited insecurity and the perceived mistreatment of Yoruba people as reasons for the demand.

However, Afenifere maintained that Nigeria's problems extend beyond its multi-ethnicity or diversity. The organization stated that the deprivations experienced by Yoruba people are not unique to them, but rather a result of the general misgovernance that Nigeria has faced.

Why this matters: The dissociation of Afenifere from the Yoruba Nation agitation is significant, as it highlights the differing views within the Yoruba community regarding the future of their people within Nigeria. It also underscores the ongoing debate about the best approach to address the challenges faced by various ethnic groups in the country.

Afenifere also questioned the claim by Akintoye and Igboho that they were speaking for all Yoruba people, both at home and in the diaspora, without conducting a referendum to determine the desires of the Yoruba people. The organization argued that forming a country is not something that can be easily 'dashed out' and that the United Nations is not the one carving out nations in the way Europeans did in the 19th century.

The criticism from Afenifere comes as a blow to the Yoruba Nation agitation, which has gained momentum in recent years. The organization's stance emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by the Yoruba people and Nigeria as a whole, rather than pursuing a separatist agenda.

Key Takeaways

• Afenifere dissociates from Yoruba Nation agitation, calls it "undesirable".
• Afenifere says Nigeria's problems extend beyond ethnicity, due to misgovernance.
• Afenifere questions Akintoye and Igboho's claim to speak for all Yoruba.
• Afenifere's stance is a blow to Yoruba Nation movement, emphasizes inclusive approach.
• Afenifere argues forming a country is not easily "dashed out" like Europeans did.