Southern Senators Announce Final Decision on Agitation for Yoruba Nation, Biafra Republic
- Senators from the southern parts of Nigeria have refused to back calls for secession
- The lawmakers under the caucus of southern senators’ forum explained the reason for their stance
- The senators stated that they have the support of federal lawmakers from the northern parts of Nigeria
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
Nigerian senators from the southern parts of the country have resolved to uphold the unity of Nigeria amid calls for secession from some Yoruba and Igbo groups.
According to The Nation, the deputy president of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, who spoke on behalf of the southern senators’ forum on Wednesday, March 24, said the caucus believes in Nigeria’s unity.
Source: Facebook
He said:
''Let me make it very clear that we are united, both the northern and southern senators.
“We are united behind the leadership of the 9th Senate and we have resolved that notwithstanding the challenges facing the country, we would support a united Nigeria.”
Omo-Agege disclosed that the forum elected Senator Opeyemi Bamidele as chairman of the caucus.
He disclosed that Senator Stella Oduah, representing Anambra North, was elected the Vice-chairman and Senator Matthew Urghohide the forum’s secretary.
According to The Punch, speaking shortly after his election, Bamidele promised to use his office to strengthen the unity of Nigeria.
He said:
''We would provide a voice for our people that we are here to represent.
“We would use the platform to strengthen the unity of Nigeria that we have all promised to uphold.''
Meanwhile, the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has distanced itself from the secessionist call being championed by Sunday Adeyemo, a Yoruba youth leader popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
Igboho had recently said Yoruba is no longer part of Nigeria, calling on people of the ethnic group residing in the north to go back home.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read the best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
However, Kunle Olajide, the secretary-general of the YCE said Igboho does not represent the Yoruba people in his call for secession, The Cable reported.
In another report, the governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, has explained that people calling for secession from Nigeria are doing so out of frustration.
According to The Punch, Fayemi told Arise Television on Tuesday, March 23, that such agitation is expected when there are stress and laxity in society.
The governor, however, expressed optimism that the country will overcome its challenges.
Kess Ewubare is a senior political/current affairs correspondent at Legit.ng. He has both a BSc and a Master’s degree in mass communication. He has over 10 years experience working in several fields of mass communication including radio, TV, newspaper, and online. He can be reached via email at kess2099@gmail.com.
Source: Legit.ng
