I don’t believe or support quest for Yoruba nation: Akeredolu

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has denied claims of supporting agitation for Yoruba nation.

A self-styled Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, had claimed at the weekend that he has the blessing of Mr Akeredolu to continue agitating for the breakaway of the Yoruba tribe from Nigeria.

But denying he ever declared support for the dissolution of the country, Mr Akeredolu said he does not believe in the struggle and could not have supported what he does not believe in.

Reacting through his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olabode, the governor said allowing the agitators to peacefully assembly themselves in a rally as he did at the weekend should not be interpreted as supporting the cessation of the nation.

“The Governor neither believes, nor supports the quest for the Yoruba Nation outside of Nigeria in the manner canvassed,” Mr Olabode said of his principal in a statement on Sunday. “Governor Akeredolu stands by a virile, united and indivisible Nigeria as demanded by the Southern Governors’ Forum.

“Therefore, the vigour, zeal, leadership and candour displayed by Governor Akeredolu for a just and fair Nigeria is altruistic, and borne out of patriotism for the Nation as well as love for his people, the Yoruba ethnic nationality.

“It is important, therefore, to state without any equivocation that the Yoruba Nation secessionist promoters do not enjoy any lending hand in Governor Akeredolu,” he added.