Yoruba better off in Nigeria — Northern chair

The Yoruba communities in the North and Abuja, yesterday, dissociated themselves from the agitation for the creation of Oduduwa Republic.

The Acting President General of Yoruba Communities in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Dr. Pat Jimoh Aiyelangbe, made their position known in Kano while responding to a recent publication credited to Yoruba Liberation Command (YOLICOM), calling for Oduduwa Republic.

Dr Aiyelangbe said as an acting president of Yoruba communities in the North, he had never discussed anything about Yoruba secession with anybody.

He said, “Our president general died recently and before he passed on he never discussed anything like that with me or any principal officer of our association. So, as far as Yoruba communities are concerned here in the North, we are not behind the agitation for Oduduwa Republic.

“The agitators should rule us out of it; we have not had any discussion with anybody about Yoruba secession and therefore we are not supporting it,” he said.

The leader said Yoruba communities were better off in Nigeria and would continue to work for its unity and progress.

“You know, when a young man is looking for money, he will use any opportunity that comes his way. But even at that one has to look for a better way to earn money. To be honest with you, the agitators of Oduduwa Republic are looking for nothing but money,” he said.

He urged Yoruba communities in northern Nigeria to remain calm and respect their host communities, assuring that the leadership would do everything possible to resolve the matter amicably.