Some Yoruba self determination groups, Thursday faulted the clampdown on protests in some areas in the South West region, stating that the right to dissent, engage and agitate in a non-violent manner was universal .
The groups which include Oodua People’s Congress (New Era), Agbekoya, Action Coalition, Yoruba Frontier Movement, Yoruba Action Movement, Apapo Egbe Omo Oodua and Oodua Coalition Against Insurgency and Kidnapping in Yorubaland, said the unprovoked show of strength by security agencies in Yorubaland and the ban on legitimate peaceful rally was inimical to democratic process.
The groups made this position known in a statement titled, “Interrrogating the essence of the Nigerian State and the consequences of the intolerance of legitimate dissent”, to mark the Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary.
The statement made available to FrontPage in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was signed signed by Prince Kunle Adelakun (Eruobodo)(Agbekoya Action Coalition); Comrade Adesina Akinpelu OPC (New Era); Lawal Akeem (Yoruba Action Movement); Tajudeen Gbolagade (Apapo Egbe Omo Oodua); Aderemi Adisa (Yoruba Frontier Movement) and Dr. Tunde Hamzat.
While lamenting the level of insecurity of lives and properties in Yorubaland and the country as a whole which was described as embarrassingly worrisome, the groups lauded the South West governors for taking the initiative to launch the regional security outfit, ‘Amotekun’, despite opposition from certain quarters.
The groups also kicked against the recent hike in petrol and electricity tarrif, describing it as callous and insensitive, stating that that had further pushed many Nigerians into the abyss of poverty.
The statement reads in part: “That insecurity of lives and properties in Nigeria in general and Yorubaland in particular is embarrassingly worrisome.
That the South-West governors should be commended for the Amotekun initiative despite the initial opposition of the Federal Government.
“That below the average performance of the Security Chiefs and the reluctance and refusal of Mr. President to replace them for effective combat modalities calls for concern.
“That the Federal Character policy has been deliberately distorted and bastardised with reckless abandonment making some Nigerians more Nigerian than others.
“That the recent callous and insensitive hike in the price of petrol and electricity to satisfy the Brotherhood Institution and their local collaborating stand condemned.
“That the right to dissent, engage and agitate in a non violent manner is universal .That the unprovoked show of strength by the security agencies in the South-West and the ban on legitimate peaceful rally is inimical to democratic process.
“That this illegal ban on legitimate rallies can encourage genuinely aggrieved self determination groups to go underground with devastating effects to the already fragile fabrics of the state.”
