- Shomolu-Bariga Monarch Calls for Yoruba Unity Behind Tinubu
- Distances Self From Yoruba Nation Agitators
- Affirm Yorubaland rightfully belongs to its people and cannot be taken
The traditional ruler of Shomolu and Bariga, His Royal Majesty Oba Gbolahan Akanbi Timson, the Jagunmolu III, has urged all Yoruba-speaking people to strongly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
Eko Hot Blog reports that while speaking from his palace, the monarch dismissed criticisms of the president’s performance, stating that the challenges facing the country were not caused by Tinubu.
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He emphasized that the opposition based on perceived underperformance would not succeed.
He further pointed out that, with the exception of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, all presidents since the return to democratic rule have served full eight-year terms, questioning why President Tinubu’s tenure should be cut short.
“As of today, there is a group called Yoruba Nation; they are agitating for the sovereignty of the Yoruba states, calling for the creation of the Oduduwa State as their country because of the incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen. And I sympathise with the man that started the struggle, Sunday Igboho.
He is somebody I know but I didn’t know why he went into the struggle save when I read in some newspapers that his brother came in from abroad with more than N500 million to set up mechanised farming but was gruesomely murdered in the farm by blood-thirsty Fulani herdsmen.
“And that was how he began to agitate for the liberation of the Yoruba from the country by driving away the Fulani from south western states. And I gave my support, if that’s the essence of the creation of Yoruba Nation.”
The monarch affirmed that Yorubaland rightfully belongs to its people and cannot be taken from them.
However, he noted that what began as a genuine agitation has now been politicized, with a particular faction using it as a tool to oppose President Tinubu.
“And for that, I am distancing myself from the Yoruba Nation group. I am not a politician; I am a traditional ruler. Part of my function is to muster support for our son, President Tinubu. If he is the only Yoruba man coming for the 2027 general election, I’ll support him. But if they are up to two, I’ll back out. As far as I am concerned, I am suspending my relationship with the Yoruba Nation on the ground that it has been politicised.”
