Professor Wale Adeniran, former leader of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide and newly appointed national leader of Apapo Egbe Omo Yoruba Oodua l’Agbaye, has made a fervent appeal for unity and support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration amongst Yoruba people. Adeniran, speaking at his unveiling as the new group’s leader at the Obafemi Awolowo University Staff Club in Ile-Ife, urged an end to criticisms directed at the President and called on all Yoruba indigenes, both at home and abroad, to rally around Tinubu, offering him a strong sense of belonging and working towards his re-election in 2027. This call for solidarity comes as Adeniran launches a new platform aimed at advancing the interests of the Yoruba people within a restructured Nigeria.
Adeniran’s plea for unity extends beyond political support for the president. He specifically addressed the internal disputes amongst Yoruba traditional rulers, emphasizing the need to resolve these conflicts to preserve the dignity and respect of the Yoruba race. These internal wranglings, he argues, undermine the collective strength and image of the Yoruba people, creating unnecessary divisions and hindering progress. The call for unity signifies a desire to consolidate Yoruba influence and present a united front in national affairs. This unity, according to Adeniran, is critical in achieving the group’s overarching goals of restructuring Nigeria and securing a more representative constitution.
The newly formed Apapo Egbe Omo Yoruba Oodua l’Agbaye, while advocating for Yoruba interests, is not a separatist movement. Instead, it champions the restructuring of Nigeria into a more equitable federation, advocating for a new constitution that truly reflects the nation’s diverse ethnic and cultural makeup. Adeniran criticizes the current 1999 Constitution, labelling it a “military product” ill-suited to the complexities of Nigeria’s pluralistic society. This push for restructuring and a new constitution represents a core tenet of the group’s platform, aiming to secure greater autonomy and resource control for the Yoruba people within a reformed Nigerian federation.
Addressing the pervasive issue of insecurity, Adeniran expressed the group’s strong support for the establishment of state police forces. He commended President Tinubu for endorsing this initiative, viewed as crucial for effectively tackling localized security challenges. Furthermore, he called on the National Assembly to amend the relevant sections of the Constitution—Sections 214, 215, and 216—to provide the necessary legal framework for state police forces. This advocacy for localized security apparatus reflects the group’s focus on pragmatic solutions to address pressing societal concerns.
Adeniran also directed his attention to the governors of Yoruba-speaking states, urging them to prioritize the welfare of their citizens, particularly in light of increased federal allocations. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing these resources to improve the lives of the people, focusing on key areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. This call for responsible governance reflects the group’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of federalism translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Yoruba citizens.
Finally, the Apapo Egbe Omo Yoruba Oodua l’Agbaye highlights the importance of preserving and promoting the Yoruba language and culture. The group demands that Yoruba be adopted as the sole medium of instruction in all primary schools across Yorubaland starting in 2026, and as a compulsory subject in secondary schools. This emphasis on language preservation underscores the group’s commitment to maintaining Yoruba identity and heritage, viewing it as a vital component of their broader agenda of cultural affirmation and self-determination within the Nigerian nation. This call for linguistic and cultural preservation serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural identity within the context of national unity.
