EKO NEWS
Why We Held Yoruba Nation Rally In Lagos ― Ilana Omo Oodua
- “This is the beginning. It is no retreat, no surrender. The struggle continues. We are marching forward in the struggle to liberate our land from the shackles of oppression and intimidation.”
The umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, has explained the reason for embarking on the Yoruba Nation rally in Lagos despite threats by security operatives.
EKO HOT BLOG had reported that despite the heavy presence of security operatives at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos, scores of Yoruba Nation agitators had held the rally in the state as they chanted different kinds of freedom songs, including, “No going back,” “We want Oodua Nation,” among others.
The agitators stormed the venue of the rally around 11.20 am when the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, was addressing newsmen.
However, the group spokesperson, Maxwell Adeleye, stated that the Yoruba Nation agitators embarked on the rally to show they are not cowards.
Adeleye further stated that the agitators went ahead with the rally to show policemen, Nigerians, and the global community that they are peaceful demonstrators.
He, however, regretted the death of the 14-year-old girl who was killed during the Lagos rally, saying police officials should be held accountable.
READ ALSO: Yoruba Nation Rally: Drama As Policemen Push Patrol Van At Ojota
Adeleye hailed thousands of the Yoruba Nation agitators who had defied the police intimidation and harassment to show solidarity with the agitation for self-determination, saying “the struggle continues”.
The Ilana Omo Oodua spokesman said, “That the rally took place despite police intimidation symbolises that Yoruba people are not cowards.
“We want to inform the whole world that a stray bullet fired by Officers of the Nigerian Police killed a yet-to-be-identified Soft Drinks Seller at Ojota, the venue of the Yoruba Nation Rally held on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021.
“We have held our rally, notwithstanding, the heavy attempts to ensure we do not come to Lagos. That the people came out in their thousands is an indication that the Yoruba People are not cowards.
“We thank our women who led the rally from the front. May history be kind to them. We thank the gentlemen of the press for their support and solidarity.
“This is the beginning. It is no retreat, no surrender. The struggle continues. We are marching forward in the struggle to liberate our land from the shackles of oppression and intimidation,” Adeleye stated.
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