By joshua 
Ayo Ola
An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has condemned the comment credited to Yoruba nation arrowhead, Prof. Banji Akintoye, which insinuated there will be no governorship and Houses of Assembly elections in Osun and Ekiti States in 2022, as according to the 86-year old Professor, the next election the Yoruba people will take part in will be the first election of their “new country.”
Akintoye, had in his 2022 New Year message, said there were clamours that there will be no election in Osun and Ekiti States.
He said, “Among most Yoruba self-determination advocates worldwide, the determination exists and is growing that there shall be no state governorship and House of Assembly elections in our homeland in 2022. The next election that we Yoruba people will engage in will be the first election in our new country.
Governorship elections have been scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission, to hold in Ekiti State on June 18, 2022 and July 16, 2022 in Osun state.
The Ekiti State election is for the successor of the incumbent, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, whose tenure will end in October, 2022. The first tenure of Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola is to end in November 2022.
But Olajengbesi, who is one of the counsels to another Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, cautioned that the demand for an independent Yoruba nation cannot be realized through anarchy but by a procedure recognized by Law.
He said, “I have read the statement credited to Prof. Banji Akintoye that there will be no election in Osun and Ekiti States in 2022 and I want to immediately react and condemn same in its entirety.
“It is crucial to understand that Nigeria practices constitutional democracy and no individual or organization can upturn the constitution. The demand for an independent Yoruba nation cannot be realized through anarchy but by a procedure recognized by Law. The strict reliance on law and due process as well as respect for all facets of fundamental human rights were equally issues espoused by the noble Professor in his statement. It is my honest belief that these issues are the cogent points he seeks to pass across in his all-important statement.
“However, those cogent issues which stand germane and merit proper attention were marred by Prof’s declaration that elections will not hold in those two states. I do so find it pertinent to write succinctly to address this distractive and combustive declaration which is capable if not deliberately intended to mislead some. It is also pertinent that Prof. Akitoye who is very much advanced in age and knowledge and who is versed in times and histories always puts into consideration the entire Yoruba people so as to make sure and ascertain that an all-important statement such as this reflects only the aspirations of the people. I do, however, make bold to say that his declaration does not reflect the position of Chief Sunday Adeyemo who believes actively and strongly that change can only be achieved through constitutional means, and we as lawyers have the eternal duty to advise him continually as such.”
He added, “Indeed, Prof is very much displeased as a lot of people are about the sad realities that have become the very reflections of our social polity. He expressed his displeasure in his observations about flagrant disregard for human rights but neglected to consider that human rights must be addressed holistically along cultural, economic, social, and political lines. One of the rights conferred on the citizenry of Nigeria today is the right of a person to vote or be voted for. To choose who will lead them freely which is indeed akin to the perennial right to Self Determination. These rights cannot be divided, set aside and denied entirely for any reason. Rather, we must encourage our people to work within their communities, local governments and states to ensure that whilst we agitate for Justice and Equity, we must also come to Equity with clean hands. We must also do Equity.
“Without belabouring the matter further, we do know that the good Professor Akintoye has noble intentions and would never intend for his words to promote anything other than peace, harmony, justice, fairness and equity in all the Yoruba-populated States and by extension in all the States making up the Federation of Nigeria. Let Justice be done, even if Heaven falls. Justice is inclusive and everyone must play a part in steering this ship in the course of promoting our common good and the collective advancement of all our people regardless of race, creed or tribe.”