IBADAN/Nigeria: Amidst the ongoing hardship protests across Nigeria, the O’Odua Integrity Network (OIN) has issued a clarion call to the Yoruba ethnic nationality to stand firmly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that the North’s actions are aimed at destabilizing his government.
In a press statement signed by Chief Adewale Adeosun (President) and Mr. Ige Kilanko (Secretary), the group expressed deep concern over the escalating protests, particularly in Northern Nigeria, which they described as “volatile, destructive, and mindlessly orchestrated with a clear intention of bringing down the government.” The statement highlighted the presence of protesters waving Russian flags and openly calling for military intervention, questioning the response of the Service Chiefs.
The OIN linked the current situation to past youth-led protests in Nigeria, noting the relatively quiet response from the North during the #EndSARS movement in 2020. “During that period, Northern Nigeria remained relatively quiet,” the group noted, referencing former President Buhari’s assertion that the protests were aimed at his government. They emphasized that key Northern figures at the time “spared no effort to crush the protests.”
The group lamented that despite President Tinubu’s efforts to tackle the challenges inherited from previous administrations, he has been left to bear the brunt of his necessary economic reforms. They accused prominent Southerners, particularly from the South West, of standing by and watching as the North allegedly orchestrates opposition against Tinubu. “It’s even worse in the South West, Tinubu’s base!” the group exclaimed, invoking the iconic Yoruba play “Yoruba Ro’onu” by Herbert Ogunde to emphasize the need for introspection and action.
OIN further warned that the same Southern betrayal that undermined the presidential ambitions of Obafemi Awolowo in 1979, MKO Abiola in 1993, and nearly cost Olusegun Obasanjo a second term in 2003, is resurfacing. The group stated, “While we are opposed to violence, we unequivocally call for a change in the attitude of Southerners, especially the Yorubas of the South West.”
In a passionate appeal, they urged the Yoruba people, including women, students, workers, and especially the elite, to take a firm stand in support of Tinubu. “The Northern agenda is clear, even to the blind. Because they believe that Tinubu must worship them and that they have been at the losing end of the progressive reforms of this government, they have vowed that Tinubu will NOT have a second term. But this is NOT about Tinubu! It’s about the South, specifically, the Yorubas,” the statement declared.
The OIN concluded by calling on Yoruba sociocultural groups to recognize the Northern agenda and rally in defense of President Tinubu. They warned that the North’s attitude of “Kaka ki eku ma je se se,” which translates to “if they can’t have power, then no one else will,” must be resisted. “Yorubas home and abroad must see this danger for what it is and rally to Tinubu’s defense. They must take a stand, NOW!”
