The Yoruba Patriotic Movement (YPM) has issued a seven-day ultimatum on the Police to return the 20 people arrested in connection with the crisis that erupted between the Yoruba/Fulani at Ile-Ife, recently.
This disclosure was made by the National Coordinator of the group, Chief Oladosu Oladipo, during a visit to the co-chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, at the Ikenne-Remo, home of the Awolowos’, on Wednesday.
The meeting had in attendance the founder of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, former gubernatorial candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), in Ogun State, Prince Rotimi Paseda, former Secretary to the State Government, Oyo State, Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli, the national secretary of YPM, Professor Soji Adejumo, Chief Ishola Filani, Alhaji Alli Oyedeji and representatives from all the states of the South West.
He described the arrest of the 20 people mainly Yorubas as misnomer and an action that will not stand.
Oladipo wondered why the suspects were whisked to Abuja without any investigation before they were paraded by the Police.
He said, “The arrest of the 20 people mainly Yorubas is an affront. How did the Police come to the conclusion that those arrested were behind the mayhem? There is no single Hausa/Fulani among those arrested. We all remembered a story of a Yoruba woman preaching somewhere in Abuja that was beheaded by yet to be identified people. Nothing was done by the Police. Why can’t the matter be taken before Ooni of Ife for settlement and probably reconciliation?”
“Now, they are arresting the indigenes taking them to Abuja for unknown reasons. Are they saying that those Hausas will not stay in Ife again?”
“What they need to do is to affect love instead of law. All they need to do is peaceful reconciliation that will be deep and wide to accommodate everybody. The inability to do that is a big mistake. We are giving them a seven-day ultimatum to return those arrested back to Ile-Ife, otherwise there will be reactions.”
Similarly speaking, Fasheun, faulted the Police for not consulting with Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi before whisking those arrested away from his domain.
He argued that the revered monarch would have used his position in resolving the crisis.
He urged all Yoruba groups to embrace YPM as a platform to chart the course of the Yoruba nation.
On her own part, Mrs. Tola Osunde, challenged Awolowo Dosunmu, to take the leadership baton of leading the Yoruba race to an enviable height.
She described her as a diplomat and a politician per excellence whose contribution to the glory of Yoruba race would be most appreciated.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of Obafemi Awolowo Foundation appreciated the group for the visit and reassured them of her committing towards the overall development of the Yoruba nation.
She expressed displeasure about the manner at which politics is being played by politicians in the zone.
“We must bring back the good old times. Our politicians and followers must stop money politics. We need a selfless person like the Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo to exposition the Yoruba race,” she added.
Awolowo Dosumu also stressed the need for the country to embrace true federalism for all round development.
She said further, “Each region should have its autonomy to engender progress. True federalism will bring government closer to the people. It is less expensive. The South West zone should be ready to take its rightful position among other zones in the country.”
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