Professor Banji Akintoye, the National Leader of the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, has intensified his call for the separation of the Yoruba nation from Nigeria. In a statement made to commemorate Yoruba Unity Day, he urged governors and traditional leaders in the South West region to officially declare September 23 as Yoruba Unity Day.
Akintoye alleged that a staggering 29,000 Yoruba individuals have lost their lives to attacks by suspected Fulani bandits, who are also accused of committing numerous atrocities, including the rape of women and various forms of violence. He highlighted the urgent need for the Yoruba nation to break away from Nigeria in light of the ongoing threats to lives and destruction of agricultural lands.
He stated, “The only viable and sustainable answer to all this horrible situation is to separate our Yoruba nation from Nigeria and establish our own country where we can exercise our sovereignty to ensure the security of our land and people, and manage our economy in a manner that reflects the capabilities of the Yoruba.”
In his remarks, Akintoye noted that Yoruba Unity Day is currently being celebrated in cities like Ile Ife and Ibadan. However, he expressed concern about the situation in rural areas, where he claims Fulani herdsmen are determined to seize land. He described a grim reality in which these herdsmen are daily killing Yoruba people, estimating that around 29,000 have been killed, while also reporting incidents of rape, kidnapping, and extortion. “They are destroying farms, food storage facilities, and entire villages,” he lamented.
He called on South West governors and traditional rulers to recognize Yoruba Unity Day as an official public holiday. “I urge the Obas, who are the fathers of our nation, to adopt this day in their Councils of Obas across all Yoruba States. I also call upon our Governors to endorse Yoruba Unity Day during their Southwest Governors meetings,” he said.
Encouraging all Yoruba people to join in the struggle for self-determination, Akintoye emphasized that their push for separation is based on a rational understanding of the Nigerian situation. He claimed this perspective is shared by approximately 80 percent of the Yoruba population, both at home and in the diaspora, stating, “We are seriously advocating for the separation of our Yoruba nation from Nigeria because we believe the current Nigerian predicament poses a grave threat to our existence.”
Commenting on the regional security initiative known as Amotekun, he noted that while it initially raised hopes of resisting Fulani violence, the group has been rendered ineffective due to the influence of the Fulani-controlled federal government.
He described the escalating audacity of Fulani terrorists, particularly in urban areas, as alarming. Akintoye also pointed out that their kinsman, the elected President of Nigeria, is facing increasing harassment, including threats of military intervention, regional rebellion, and even declarations of war.
