Akintoye, Turaki, others, lead NINAS’ 1m march to UN General Assembly | AgegePulse Magazine

...Wants referendum for self-determination

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

Akintoye 

THE Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination, NINAS, yesterday, vowed to organise a One Million March in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States from 14th to 21st September, 2021 to demand for a referendum on self-determination and abolition of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

NINAS is the umbrella body of leading regional self-determination groups in the South and Middle Belt of Nigeria.

The 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA, holds from 14th to 21st September, 2021.

In a statement by the Communications Manager to NINAS, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, stated that the One Million March is expected to be led by a renowned Historian, Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye; respected Varsity Don, Prof. Yusuf Turaki;  the Secretary-General of NINAS, Mr. Tony Nnadi; and National Chairman of Ilana Omo Oodua, Professor Wale Adeniran, amongst others.

The statement reads: “We have read a trending statement authored by a faceless group demanding for the ban of Ilana Omo Oodua from making presentation before the world at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, UNGA.

“We wish to say very expressly that Ilana Omo Oodua, contrary to media reports, will not be making any official presentation at UNGA.

What will be happening at UNGA is that the members of Ilana Omo Oodua under the leadership of Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye alongside other members of NINAS from the Lower Niger and Middle Belt of Nigeria will be holding a One Million March opposite the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States from 14th to 21st September, 2021 to demand for a referendum to decide on the rights to self-determination of the people who want an end to unitary systems of Nigeria which has been turned into an apartheid state.

“We shall also be demanding, first and foremost, for the abolition of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria which we have shown to be a fraud perpetrated against the people of the South and Middle Belt of Nigeria given that the people did not make it.

“All the sons and daughters of the South East, South South, South West and Middle Belt’s clans, living in the United States of America, are being mobilised to stand up for their Indigenous Nationalities by participating in the one week one Million March for the liberation of their people.

The planned march shall be historic and epoch-making. We want the whole world to see the level of injustice, oppression and intimidation currently going on in Nigeria. The time is now.”

Vang

Igboho will return back to Nigeria soon, Akintoye vows

 

By Ayodele Ifasakin 

The leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, Professor Banji Akintoye, has disclosed that the body, other groups are working hard to secure the release of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, who is on trial in Benin Republic.

Sunday Igboho 

The Nation reports Igboho has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.

He was arrested with his wife, Ropo, but the Cour De’appal De Cotonou ordered the release of the Germany-based wife of the activist, saying there were no allegations against her.

Akintoye in a statement made available to The Nation by his Communications Manager, Maxwell Adeleye, described some media reports (Not The Nation) that he has left Nigeria to escape the plots of the government to arrest him as untrue.

Akintoye explained he is Benin Republic to coordinate and supervise how to legally rescue the embattled agitator, from government remand as soon as possible.

He stated that Igboho committed no offense against the Nigeria laws to warrant being arrested, intimidated or harassed and he’ll return back to Nigeria as soon as Ighoho is released by the government of Benin Republic to continue the struggle for the actualisation of Yoruba Nation.

“Myself, the President-General and Professor Wale Adeniran (Chairman) of Ilana Omo Oodua, are currently in the Republic of Benin as reported, but not on the run.

“We are here to supervise and coordinate, by all legal and and other means, the struggle for the release of our son and patriot, Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, detained by the Government from custody.

“By demanding peaceful self-determination for the Yoruba Nation, i am not breaking any law, since self-determination is recognized by the International and Nigerian laws to be an inalienable right of every Nationality, large or small, in the world.

“I have earned a solid reputation as a highly respectable advocate of a peaceful self-determination struggle. I have even written a book on the subject which is already being used as a manual by Yoruba self-determination advocates and organizations.

“Irrespective of what the Nigerian Government may be planning against me, I want to say without any fear or intimidation that I will be returning to Nigeria immediately Ighoho is released from the custody. I can’t be intimidated because I’ve not committed any offense, just like Sunday Igboho.

“Let me tell all Yoruba People across the world that there’s no cause for alarm. I didn’t flee to anywhere. I am in Benin Republic running your errands. The struggle is no retreat, no surrender.”

Akintoye also debunked the media reports that Igboho has been abandoned, and that the embattled agitator is personally funding the court cases against the governments of Nigeria and Benin Republic respectively to secure his (Igboho) and his aides’ release.