A 55-year-old lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Special) in Oyo State, Alabi Ogundeji, expressed no remorse for his involvement in the Yoruba Nation agitation, which saw protesters invading the Oyo State Governor’s Office and the state House of Assembly on Monday. Similarly, 29-year-old phone repairer Ademola Adeniyi, another participant in the protests, echoed Ogundeji’s sentiments, asserting his commitment to the cause without regrets.
Speaking individually to journalists at the state Police Command in Eleyele, Ibadan, the capital city, both men argued that their actions were in line with Nigerian and international law. Ogundeji asserted, “Yoruba as an indigenous nation is a nation on its own,” citing a referendum process that garnered support from Yoruba-speaking states as evidence of the region’s desire for autonomy.
Adeniyi emphasized the dire economic situation in Nigeria and the belief that Yoruba grievances would be addressed through the movement. He explained, “We all know that nothing is working in Nigeria and things are hard for everyone except those in government.”
However, the state Police Commissioner, Hamzat Adebola, condemned the actions of the protesters, labeling them as criminal, unpatriotic, and tantamount to treasonable felony and terrorism. He reaffirmed the commitment to Nigeria’s unity and warned against individuals or groups promoting anarchy.
Adebola urged parents, guardians, and leaders to dissuade their wards from engaging in activities that could destabilize the state and the nation. He vowed to maintain law and order, ensuring that Oyo State remains a safe and prosperous environment for its residents.
