The South-West Governors Forum has described as a lie claims by Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho that he got their support for Yoruba nation agitation.
Chairman of the forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu issued the rebuttal in a Sunday statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde.
He was reacting to a claim made by Igboho during a rally in the Ondo State capital, Akure on Saturday.
“It has come to the knowledge of Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, that some group of persons who held a rally under the cover of what they term ‘secessionist agitations’ in Akure, on Saturday, May 22, 2021, erroneously claimed to have had his support for the rally.
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“Governor Akeredolu wishes to state clearly that while he acknowledges the right of individuals and groups to hold peaceful rallies, it must not be misconstrued to mean support for secessionist agenda or balkanization of the nation; far from it.
“Unequivocally, the governor’s opinion on the Akure rally or any other of its ilk, is only to the effect that he is not opposed to any civil protest which is not in breach of the extant laws of the nation.
“He neither believes nor supports the quest for the Yoruba Nation outside of Nigeria in the manner canvassed.
“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,” the statement read.
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