The proponents advocating for self-determination for Yoruba have issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government, setting a deadline of June 15, 2024, to initiate negotiations concerning the status of the Yoruba ethnic group in Nigeria.
The ultimatum was communicated through a letter signed by Professor Adebanji Akintoye, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, and Otunba Ola Ademola, addressed to the Presidency.
“We demand that the Nigerian Federal Government shall, within the next two months, but not later than June 15, 2024, inform us Yoruba Self-determination Movement that the Nigerian Federal Government have graciously agreed to our proposal for negotiation,” the letter stated.
In their letter, they highlighted the alleged hostilities faced by the Yoruba people, particularly from herders, citing persistent incidents of kidnapping, killing, and maiming. They emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to safeguard the existence of the Yoruba ethnic group.
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The letter also referenced previous correspondence sent to President Muhammadu Buhari, expressing concerns about the safety and security of the Yoruba people amidst escalating violence and instability.
“We Yoruba must not underestimate the Fulani; we must not condemn our people to Fulani killings, destruction, raping, kidnapping, and extortion of ransom for decades or centuries to come,” the letter reiterated, emphasizing the dire consequences of inaction.
Furthermore, the proponents expressed skepticism about the efficacy of restructuring in addressing the ongoing threats posed by herders, stressing the need for decisive action to protect the Yoruba homeland.
“The issuance of an ex parte order in a politically sensitive matter involving the leadership of a political party without ensuring that all internal remedies have been exhausted raises concerns about the proper judicial process,” they noted in their petition to the National Judicial Council.
In addition to seeking negotiations with the Federal Government, the proponents called for the involvement of international organizations such as the United Nations, African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as observers during the negotiation process.
“We shall forward the list of our negotiation team to the Nigerian Federal Government as soon as we receive the communication from the Nigerian Federal Government, in response to this request of ours for negotiation,” the letter concluded, outlining the steps for initiating dialogue