“We will not support Tinubu”: The umbrella group for the liberation and independence of the South West geopolitical region has said that Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC’s presidential candidate, would not have their support.
In a recent discussion with a few journalists, Prof. Banji Akintoye, President of Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO) and founder of the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement (YSDM), made this statement. Prof. Akintoye is adamant that the campaign for Yoruba Nation would continue and be successful before the general elections in 2023.
Although the former governor has every right to run for president, he said that the group was not opposed to his desire but it was inconsistent with the goals of the Yoruba nation’s cause.
He said “Our attitude is this, our big brother, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is struggling to become the president of Nigeria, there is nothing wrong with that. But we would not because of him collapse our struggle for the Yoruba nation, just as we cannot ask him to collapse his own campaign for the Yoruba nation.
“So, we have here two parallel lines in the same country, among the same people. What we handling the Yoruba self-determination struggle must do is to be thoughtful, competent, and proper in the ways we handle matters. We don’t believe we will be in Nigeria in 2023. And by the grace of God, we are not going to be in Nigeria in 2023.”
Speaking further, he said that the group had no intention to hurt Tinubu and he hoped the APC flag bearer would also extend the same courtesy.
He explained that the group is law abiding and do not shun the law and would carry out their campaigns in an orderly manner.
“The boys who want the Yoruba self-determination movement will never hurt the campaign of these our kinsmen. So, what we are asking for is that the campaign of these our kinsmen must not attempt to hurt the Yoruba self-determination struggle. The two streams must flow freely and leave it to our people to decide,” he added.
