They were also said to have removed the Nigerian national
flag in the secretariat and replaced it with their “Oodua nation flag”, before
the intervention of the security personnel.
Reacting, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere spokesperson, in a
statement, said those behind the incident did not act in the interest of Yoruba
whom they claim to be representing.
Ajayi said President Bola Tinubu is taking steps to address
the challenges facing the country.
“Yoruba is an
important component of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And as is well-known,
there cannot be a sovereign republic within an extant sovereign republic,” he
said.
“But solutions to the shortcomings do not lie in violent
divisions. Rather, what we should strive for is how the perceived wrongs in the
country can be righted.
“Afenifere is of the strong view that President Bola Tinubu
administration is taking steps to rejig Nigeria in a manner that would make the
country become one that every citizen would be proud of soonest. Restructuring
the country is a sure way of accelerating this.”
The group said when restructuring is effected and
constituent entities are allowed to be in control of their own affairs, Nigeria
will become beneficial to everyone.
“This is why we are
relentless in our agitation for restructuring,” Ajayi added.
“How can a person or group of persons think that invading a
State House of Assembly is tantamount to the creation of a Federal Republic?
Genuine Yorubas normally think things through before they take actions,
especially a fundamental action such as forming or declaring a nation. Yorubas
don’t act that way.
“Rather, they apply wisdom and intellectualism in major
steps they want to take. They apply tact. They demonstrate finesse and shun
violence as much as possible. Examples of this attitude abound – going by their
reactions to some major issues that occurred in the country in recent times.”
