Comrade Adesina Akinpelu is the National Publicity Secretary of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) New Era, and a close associate of Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho). In this interactive session with ‘KUNLE BAKARE, he revealed why the eviction notice issued to Fulani herders in Igangan, Ibarapa area of Oyo State was timely as part of efforts to stem criminal activities in Yorubaland in general.
You are seen as very close to Chief Sunday Adeyemo, can you tell us the basis for your relationship?
We have been together for over 20 years , though we have different views on some issues, presently we are both working for the emancipation of the Yoruba race. Thus, I can say that freedom of the Yoruba nation prompted my recent closeness to him.
Does it then mean that you agree with what he is doing?
Yes, I totally agree with him. He is in line with what we have been doing , the struggle has been on for some time, but now that the Fulanis are terrorising our people and destroying our farmlands, kidnaping and killing our people, like-minded people should work together to get our people out of the mess the Yoruba nation has found itself. The killing is too much and we cannot sit back and watch situation deteriorate. Look at the case of Dr. Fatai Aborode, who was based abroad but brought his wealth home and created a farm where many young school leavers were earning their living. He was killed right on his farm.
The eviction notice on the Fulanis in Igangan has generated lots of furore. Do you think such a thing is right at this time?
Yes, the right time is now because a lot of people are solidly behind him and that alone has put him in an enviable status as far as Yoruba nation is concern. In fact, a lot of our people, both within and in the Diaspora, have saluted his courage and it is not an understatement to say that many of our Yoruba leaders, including the traditional leaders, were so happy for the steps taking by him to liberate our people.
But do you see it ending this way?
Another dimension of the struggle will be introduced because that is not actually where we are going. If somebody like “Igboho”can champion the course to liberate the common man, he should be commended for we all know that the government at all levels have failed us in the area of security. But I am appealing to the government to rise up to do something to secure the lives and property of the people before things get out of hands. Our mission is to achieve a nation within a nation.
Does it mean it has gone behind herdsmen issue?
For us, we believe that the Fulanis are looking for ways of eliminating us to inherit our land but God will not allow them. That is why they are using their cows to invade our farmland as well as frequent Kidnaping of our people for ransom. This is bad and things must change henceforth .
What is your take on the view that “Igboho’s” Soka, Ibadan burnt esidence was stage-managed to win public sympathy and/or distract the police from arresting him?
For anybody to hold such a view is bad. I think the burning of the house was politically motivated. His traducers set the property ablaze and I am sure, very soon, the police will apprehend the people who are behind the act.
What is the time frame for actualisiing the Yoruba nation that you just talked about?
By the grace of God, I pray it happens before 2023 because the South South and the Middle Belt have filled their documents to the United Nations Organisation (UNO) to inform it that we can no longer continue to live together because of marginalisation and oppression by the core North. The Yoruba leader, Prof. Banji Akintoye, has said it many times that we will not shoot a bullet to get things done, once we are through with the other agrieved regions, there will be a referendum to address the issue once and for all.
Your take on the statement credited to Senator Babafemi Ojudu, calling “Igboho”a thug?
The Senator is my dear senior brother and mentor but he missed it in that regard. My take is that he only wanted to get media attention and cheap publicity through the man of the moment.
But there is apprehension that crisis may erupt in the country anytime soon. Do you share this view?
Nothing of such will happen. Our people should go about their lawful businesses as our leaders cannot watch things to go awry.
