More than 100 Pan-Yoruba and Itsekiri groups have met in Lagos and called for collective action against terrorism, religious intolerance and inter-group conflict in Yorubaland, urging an immediate end to attacks between supporters of Aare Ona Kakanfo Iba Gani Adams and Sunday Adeyemo (alias Igboho), leader of the Iru Ekun security network.
The meeting, convened by journalist Adewale Adeoye, Chief Adekunle Adesokan and Alhaji Jubril Ogundimu, brought together leaders of self-determination and cultural organisations including the Afenifere Renewal Group, Oodua Peoples Congress (various factions), Yoruba Council of Elders, Agbekoya, Oodua Nationalist Coalition, Oodua Liberation Movement, Itsekiri National Congress and Think Yoruba First, among others. Participants came from the six South-West states as well as Kwara, Kogi and Yoruba-speaking areas of Edo and Delta states.
In a communique signed by the conveners, the groups identified terrorism, insecurity, poverty, electricity shortages, religious intolerance, inter-group friction and what they described as deliberate attempts to promote division in Yorubaland as major threats to the survival and development of the Yoruba people. They alleged that Yoruba territories are being ravaged by external invasion by extremists, terrorists and armed gangs involved in killings, kidnappings, rape and destruction of livelihoods.
The groups expressed concern over increasing divisions and hate speech driven by religious sentiments, warning that such developments could undermine Yorubaland’s longstanding culture of religious freedom and tolerance. They urged Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers in the region not to allow religious extremism to take root in any part of Yorubaland, and condemned attacks on Yoruba self-determination leaders including Adams, Professor Banji Akintoye, Igboho and leaders of various OPC and other organisations.
Participants also criticised the use of social media as a weapon for the distortion and destruction of Yoruba/Itsekiri history, values and heritage. The groups resolved that all Pan-Yoruba and self-determination organisations must work together to promote peace, prosperity and harmony across Yorubaland and Itsekiri territories, and specifically demanded an immediate end to attacks against Adams, Akintoye, Igboho and other Pan-Yoruba leaders.