A pro Yoruba group, Oodua Youth Assembly, OYA, has slammed the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu and former Lagos APC spokesman, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, over his recent comments on social media against the Mayegun Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland and Coordinatior, Progressive Lawyers For Osinbajo, PLO, Dr. Kayode Ajulo.
The group said it is inappropriate for Igbokwe to have threatened Ajulo who is a holder of one of the highest Yoruba titles on Yoruba soil. It said such act could cause inter-tribal differences.
This is according to a statement made available to the press by the spokesperson of the group, Adeola Moronfolu Makanjuola, on Tuesday, in Lagos.
Igbokwe, had in a thread of Facebook posts reacted to a Channels television’s programme, Politics Today, interview of Ajulo, saying the lawyer mocked President Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Makanjuola said the group cannot overlook many mixed reactions Igbokwe’s statements have generated within different political commentators who are loyal to the two parties from Yoruba and Igbo tribes respectfully.
He quoted the reaction of a Facebook user, Agesin Kole, of Yoruba extraction, as evidence to back his claim that Igbokwe’s statements can cause unfriendly feelings between two innocent tribes.
Facebook user, Agesin Kole, had posted that “It is important to draw the attention of the public to the fact that Joe Igbokwe is beating the drum of inter tribal War. How can a tenant (Igbokwe) be challenging a whole title holder (Mayegun Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba, the Bamofin of Akure land High Chief Bar. Ajulo Olukayode Ajulo) the son of the soil.
“It is an insult for Igbokwe to be threatening a Yoruba man in his territory. Can a Yoruba man do such in Igbo land? As a matter of urgency his people should call him to order before it’s too late for him.
“The unfortunate disaster that befell him in his home state is still fresh in our memory due to careless talk. At his age, I think he should know when, where and how to talk”
The group futher condemned Igbokwe’s reaction to Ajulo’s interview, saying the alleged threat was a reaction taken to the extreme. It said it will not tolerate any reaction that can affect the peace and tranquility of the southwest, either political, tribal or religious position.
“We condemn in totality the utmost extremity of Pa. Igbokwe use of language. We will not fold our arms and allow anyone use his mouth to cause unrest within Yoruba noble men in the name of politics. We are looking forward to a peaceful 2023 election in southwest. We will not allow anyone use bad utterances to subvert it.
“Political wars start with offensive utterances and some people are unrepentant beneficiaries of this ugly trade. Pa. Igbokwe is a known player in this venture and we are not unaware of what it has personally caused him and even the society. But we will beat him to his game this time and not allow him start Yoruba-Igbo clash because of his personal gains.
“Threatening such a high Yoruba title holder on Yoruba soil is a call to unnecessary violence and Pa. Igbokwe cannot claim to be unaware of this fact. We all saw the interview he deliberately wanted to twist to score cheap political points. In whose gain is two respected Yoruba men are at war for political reasons? Pa. Igbokwe’s action was delibrate and knows what he wants but we would not allow it.
The group said that letters will be delivered to the Lagos State Government and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on the matter to avoid a repeat of such issue in future.
“We have written separate letters which will be delivered to the Lagos State Government and the respected apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on this matter to call Pa. Igbokwe to order.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu and Igbo elders should call Pa. Igbokwe to order. He should operate within the ambit of his responsibility as a special adviser to Lagos State Government. Let him concentrate his energy into updating to the people of Lagos state about what he’s doing on drainage and water resources. He should not use his mouth to create unnecessary enmity between two noble Yoruba men.” The group said.
The group, in the statement also appreciated the Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland, Ch. Gani Adams, thanking him for using his office to appease concerned groups who felt insulted by the threat meted out to Ajulo.
“We thank Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland who has been able to use the instrumentality of office to calm frayed nerves”
“As Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a highly respected Yoruba leader so is Bamofin Kayode Ajulo. He is a revered Yoruba man who always promotes peace and fairness in civil rights and justice. He is one of the Yoruba leaders that promote our values and heritage. We can attest to his pedigree as a noble man of conviction and integrity. He has, over the years, shown undiluted commitment to civil behaviour, development of Yorubaland and Nigeria at large.
“We are also sure that Asiwaju wants the best for the southwest and know he would not authorize anyone to cause unrest in his native region. This is Yorubaland and we are very delibrate about how we go about things for the sake of our peaceful coexistence.” The group said.