The leader of the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, Prof. Banji Akintoye, has reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to the quest for a Yoruba nation.
Akintoye stated that approximately 60 million Yoruba people, both in Nigeria and the diaspora, are backing the pursuit of establishing the Yoruba Nation as an independent sovereign state.
In an interview with The PUNCH on Monday, Akintoye emphasized, “We are determined; there’s no turning back. We must separate from Nigeria, or our nation risks destruction.”
He continued, “Can you hear the voices on the streets? Yoruba Nation now, no retreat.”
“By our estimate, there are about 55 to 60 million Yoruba people in Nigeria. We want our own country. We seek to establish a state for ourselves. If the rest of Nigeria wishes to continue as it is, they are free to do so.”
When asked about the letter sent to the United Kingdom government last year regarding the movement’s demands, Akintoye confirmed that it had received acknowledgment from the UK government, signaling that the matter was being reviewed.
“We understand we’re dealing with one of the most influential governments in the world, so we never expected a quick response,” Akintoye remarked. “But we have received a general acknowledgment that they are attending to our letter. It came shortly after submission.”
“Being the British government, we cannot expect haste, but that doesn’t imply they’re not taking it seriously. They are addressing it in their own way,” he added.
In addition, Akintoye noted that a similar letter was sent to the Nigerian government, requesting a peaceful separation, and revealed that the government’s response indicated some level of concern.
“They (the Nigerian government) are working on it, and we’ve seen indications that our letter is causing them some discomfort,” Akintoye said. “But there is no need for them to be troubled by us.”
He added, “There are certain principles they must consider. First, we have the right to demand the self-determination of our people. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples clearly affirms that all indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination and separation from the country they currently belong to, as long as it is done peacefully and without violence or disruption. We are adhering to these principles very closely.”
