The Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, New Era has condemned the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, for making statement that will further instigate one ethnic tribe against the other.
The Group in a press statement issued and signed by Adeshina Akinpelu cautioned AYCF against making statement that will bring about anarchy in Nigeria.
“Careless statement from the leader of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, Yerima Shettima is very unfortunate at this time that we are all looking for peace to reign to in Ile-Ife. Making statement of reprisal by AYCF is not only senseless but an avenue of incitement which AYCF is notorious for. In as much as OPC has been an advocate of peace in Yorubaland and Nigeria in general; the group will not fold its hand and watch any form of attack on law abiding Yoruba sons and daughters anywhere in Nigeria.”
The Group also berated Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris Kpotum for labelling Yoruba indigenes arrested in connection with Ife crisis as criminals.
“The statement credited to Ibrahim Idris Kpotum is very unfortunate and we as a Yoruba pressure group is rejecting it in its entirety. Our people are not criminals and we demand that IGP withdraws such careless statement. This is simply an injustice to peace loving Yoruba people.”
The group also wondered why it was only Yoruba people that were arrested and are currently being detained in a mayhem involving two ethnic groups.
“Up till now, the Inspector General of Police has not explained in details why it is only Yoruba people that are currently being held in Abuja in connection with a crisis involving two ethnic tribes in Ile-Ife. Is the IGP or government of Buhari telling us that the Hausas/Fulani are innocent of the crisis in Ile-Ife? This is nothing but an injustice to Yoruba people.”
OPC added: “This is not the first occurrence of crisis between two tribes in Nigeria. But this is the first time an ethnic tribe would be held responsible for a mayhem involving two tribes in Nigeria. The lives of many Yorubas as well as other ethnic tribes have been lost in the North and there was never a time the Hausas/Fulanis were arrested or detained.”
OPC also urged all Yoruba sons and daughters to remain united in the face of this emerging injustice.
“Rather than looking for a way to ensure the release of our people; some disgruntled Yorubas have started apportioning blames to others on the issue of Ile-Ife crisis. It is very sad that a morally bankrupt individual like Yinka Odumakin could now come out to accuse some Yoruba leaders of trading the Yorubas on the altar of politics. Perhaps Odumakin has forgotten so soon his romance with northerners. This is a man who once served as Buhari’s spokesman before ditching him for Jonathan. While we appreciate and commend some Yoruba leaders for speaking against this injustice; the likes of Yinka Odumakin should spare us his rhetoric because we know who he is.”
The Yoruba pressure group also commended Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II for his timely intervention which saved the lives of prominent Hausas and Yorubas in Ife.
“We use this medium to commend Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II for the role he played in ensuring that peace returned to Ile-Ife. He has proved himself to be ‘father of all’ irrespective of tribe or ethnic group. His prompt intervention really saved the lives of many in the crisis. Other traditional rulers in Nigeria must emulate this kind of good gesture.”
The Group also commended the Governor of Ekiti state, Mr Ayodele Fayose for his continued efforts toward safeguarding the rights of all Yoruba sons and daughters.