Yoruba coalition accuses northern elders of backing insecurity, defends Igboho
The Oodua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), a coalition of Pan-Yoruba groups, has criticised the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) over their recent comments on Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, accusing the organisations of failing to speak out against violent crimes allegedly linked to suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its General Secretary, Adeola Babafemi, and Assistant Publicity Secretary, Tajudeen Goriola, ONAC said the two groups appeared to have remained silent on incidents of killings, kidnappings and attacks in parts of the South-West and North-Central regions, but were quick to criticise Igboho after he called for the release of a pregnant woman and her child allegedly abducted by suspected Fulani armed men.
The coalition alleged that NEF and ACF had failed to condemn attacks that resulted in the deaths of several people, including traditional rulers and residents of communities in Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo and Oyo states.
ONAC argued that the statements issued by the two northern groups suggested a lack of concern over insecurity affecting many communities and accused them of pursuing interests that do not reflect the broader concerns of Nigerians.
“We are shocked that these organisations made up of reactionary forces and beneficiaries of the Nigerian rot can say that the action of Igboho would lead to anarchy when in reality the two organisations watch with excitement as Fulani unleash terror and anarchy on the rest of Nigerians, killing the young and old, stabbing pregnant women to extract their foetus, raping, invading farms and sacking villages in a savage desperation to impose their political culture on the rest of Nigerians,” ONAC stated.
The coalition further claimed that the real threat to Nigeria was not Igboho but individuals and groups it described as self-serving and indifferent to the security challenges facing many communities across the country.
ONAC also cited reports by international organisations on violent attacks attributed to armed Fulani groups, noting that several studies had highlighted the impact of such violence on civilian populations in different parts of Nigeria.
The group warned that the statements by NEF and ACF could heighten tensions and urged the organisations to focus on condemning insecurity and supporting efforts to address violent crimes rather than criticising individuals advocating for the protection of affected communities.
