An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC), has insisted that there is a connection between the Amotekun
initiative and recent agitation for the establishment of Oduduwa Republic.
The group, therefore, declared that Muslims in the region
will never be part of the proposed Oduduwa Republic.
It called on the governors in the region to be wary of the
activities of irredentist elements who are exploiting the euphoria of the
moment to achieve their selfish and parochial objectives.
The group also warned that breaking away from the rest of
Nigeria cannot be in the best interest of the Yoruba.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Monday.
It reads, “While we are pleased to observe that it seems the
authorities have taken note of our agitation to balance the appointment into
amotekun by recruiting into all caders from all religious groups, our
suggestion of a change of name from ‘amotekun’ to ‘Oduduwa Guards’ is yet to
come to reality.
“That notwithstanding, the most pressing issue now is the
call for the carving out of a Yoruba Republic out of present-day Nigeria. Moves
being made include the circulation of a fraudulent survey in Yorubaland asking
people to reply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the establishment of a Yoruba Republic.
Anybody can guess what the result of such a survey coming from an unverified
source can be.
“Another document which is also being circulated lists the
capital of the proposed republic as Ibadan. However, those behind the idea
exposed themselves as dreamers when, apart from the six Yoruba states of Lagos,
Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo, they claimed that the geographical area of
Oduduwa Republic includes Edo, Kogi, Kwara and Delta. However, Ijaw youths have
predictably denounced the Utopia.
“It is becoming glaring day by day that the amotekun
initiative is leading to the formation of a Yoruba nation. The same group that
agitated for the establishment of Amotekun security outfit is the same that is
now clamouring for a sovereign Yoruba nation. It is no longer a smokescreen, or
a ‘bojuboju’ game. The masquerade has uncovered its face.
“Among the dangerous steps taken by the Yoruba separatist
group is the quit notice they gave to Hausa-Fulani residents in the region.
“Another cause for concern is the appointment of military
retirees as heads of the amotekun security outfits in Yoruba states instead of
using retired senior police officers. This portrays a militant body language.
“It is noteworthy that Chief Alao Akala, a former governor
of Oyo State has condemned the appointment of retired military men as heads of
amotekun in five of the six states and predicted that the initiative would
fail.
“The fact that the appointment of retired senior military
men also coincided with the beginning of agitations for an Oduduwa Republic
speaks volumes. Besides, the agitation has already been taken to the United
Nations.
“It is however heartwarming that some conscious Yoruba
groups have staged protests against the amotekun security outfit.
“Equally disturbing is the fact that the proponents of
amotekun and Oduduwa Republic are most eager to employ both fair and foul means
to achieve their target. This Machiavellian disposition reveals the group’s
desperation to unleash anarchy. Their threat to assassinate the director of
MURIC exposes them as a group that will not stomach opposition.
“Other foul methods adopted by the group include trailing
and surveillance of the residences of those who oppose amotekun, use of fake
and nonexistent Islamic organisations to demarket our organization, cyber war,
‘killing’ MURIC’s press statements and sponsorship of columnists to disparage
the organisation and its director.
“But we remain undaunted. Our resolve to uphold justice,
fairplay and peaceful coexistence within a united and strong Nigeria is as
solid as the Rock of Gibralta. The tough must get going when the going gets
rough. For us it is ‘No surrender, no retreat’. A group that goes all out to do
all the above cannot be trusted to lead the Yoruba people to El-Dorado.
“MURIC hereby declares that the silence of Muslims in the
Yoruba states must not be mistaken for approval of secessionist moves. Yoruba
Muslims have no confidence in the irredentists particularly because the latter
have never been given fair treatment whether in political appointments,
employment in the job market or in matters of Allah-given fundamental human
rights. It is public knowledge that it is in Yoruba schools that Yoruba Muslim
children are intimidated, harassed and humiliated over their civil rights
particularly the hijab question.
“So what is the guarantee that Muslims will not face worse
discriminatory treatrment, oppression and persecution in an Oduduwa Republic?
It is on record that a prominent Yoruba politician, Femi Fani-Kayode threatened
publicly that they know where to keep people like the director of MURIC ‘when
Oduduwa … is ready’. Oduduwa Republic is therefore going to be a slaughter slab
and a deadly trap for Yoruba Muslims.
“For the umpteenth time, we wish to clarify our position
regarding the Yoruba security outfit, amotekun. MURIC is not opposed to a
security initiative which will complement police efforts in curbing criminality
in the South West. What we oppose is a system targeting Muslims and people of
other tribes who reside in the region or marginalising Muslims in recruitments
into its units.”
“We also frown at all criminal propensities, including the
activities of herdsmen who destroy farmlands though we are aware that this is
not limited to Yorubaland alone. We strongly condemn non-indigenes in
Yorubaland and other places who make crime their preoccupation and cause
disaffection between the Yoruba and law-abiding people of their tribes. In this
regard, we call for stiff penalties for the suspected killers of Mrs. Funke
Olakunrin, daughter of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the Afenifere leader who are
currently facing trial once they are found guilty.
“We appeal to those behind the formation of an Oduduwa
Republic to let Nigeria be. We are stronger in a union. There is also no
guaranty that the proposed republic will last if it ever becomes a fait
accompli. Yoruba Muslims will be the leading voice of opposition to the unholy
union in post-secession. Next, the various tribal groups, principalities and
communities will suddenly wake up from their slumber and revive the old bitter
rivalries. Will the Egba submit to the Ijebu? Will the Modakekes kowtow to the
Ife? What of the Ijesha? Will they stand akimbo while Iwo and Ede go away with
all the milk and honey from the phantom republic? It will be a den of jealous,
rancourous and disunited neighbours.
“We call on Yoruba governors to be wary of the activities of
irredentist elements who are exploiting the euphoria of the moment to achieve
their selfish and parochial objectives. We have no reason to assume that the
governors are part of the grand scheme. Our assumption is that all the
governors are interested in is to secure the people of the region and their
properties. MURIC is fully in support of this kind of security arrangement.”
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