Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said misguided secessionists will not be allowed to turn Yoruba land into another troubled enclave.
The governor warned those agitating for Oodua Nation to shelve the idea, saying many lives have been laid down for the unity of the country.
Akeredolu spoke in Akure at the flag-off of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebra- tion, warned that states in the South-West would not allow any agitation that could scuttle the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes.
The governor stated that a repeat of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the south-eastern part of the country would not be tolerated in Yorubaland, declaring that no sit-at-home order would be tolerated in any state in the region.
He said: “Those clamouring for Oodua Nation will not succeed. People have not laid down their lives for this coun- try for unscrupulous individu- als to scuttle it. This country is very important to some of us.
“We recognise the right of the people to protest or agi- tate. But if the police feel your actions are treasonable, they will arrest and prosecute you.
“It is not at this stage in the history of this country that we will repeat IPOB in Yorubal- and. Opportunity beacons at us. We cannot afford to throw away that opportunity.
“We must work to ensure that there is power shift. The opportunity for presidency to come to the south, especially the Southwest, is around the corner.
“We will not sit down and support anyone clamouring for Oodua nation. We will not support it. We have fought for this with everything we had. Nigeria will be good.
“The security agencies will checkmate these unscrupu- lous enemies embarking on such frivolous activities.
“We have responsibilities now to soberly reflect on the plight of those who have laid down their lives and those who are still laying down their lives for the unity and peace of this country.”
Akeredolu saluted the self- less service of the heroes who laid down their lives in wars and peacekeeping missions around the world and those currently serving, day and night, to guarantee the peace and unity of the country”
According to the governor, special recognition must be accorded the gallant military men who have been involved in the war against all forms of terrorist activities in the North East, North-West and other parts of the country and who have, in the process, paid the supreme sacrifice.