On Thursday, the White House stated that it was “shocking to see ‘Yoruba Nation' proponents yesterday firmly throw their lot in with”
President Muhammadu Buhari's spokesman, Garba Shehu, stated this in a message to PREMIUM TIMES.
Mr. Shehu also accused Yoruba Nation activists of organizing "increasingly violent protests in Nigeria."
Both the Yoruba Nation agitators and IPOB saw themselves as independent countries that needed to be separated from Nigeria. While the Yoruba Nation agitators seek an Oduduwa homeland for the Yorubas of south-west Nigeria, IPOB wants an Igbo republic called Biafra. Both organizations profess to seek a peaceful break with Nigeria.
The Nigerian government, on the other hand, has branded IPOB as a terrorist organization, accusing it of carrying out violent attacks on state personnel.
More on that later...
Mr. Shehu's entire statement is available here.
PRESIDENT BUHARI'S VISIT TO THE UNITED NATIONS INCLUDES AN APPEAL TO THE MEDIA TO FOCUS ON PRIMARY ISSUES.
It is hardly surprising that Nigerian diaspora groups would utilize the world's greatest stage - the United Nations General Assembly – to draw attention to their issues.
It was, nevertheless, startling to see “Yoruba Nation” supporters yesterday unambiguously side with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
IPOB has been classified as a terrorist organization. It has now made public a 50,000-strong paramilitary organization.
It routinely assassinates security personnel and innocent people, with a considerable increase in violent attacks this year. And it is presently attempting to hold Nigerian states hostage by threatening them with terror if they do not remain at home.
Without a doubt, Yoruba Nation will be judged by the company it maintains by Nigerians and the rest of the world.
No one can take this organization seriously if it maintains its IPOB affiliation. When their supporters consistently violate human rights, it calls into doubt their claims to respect UN ideals.
When juxtaposed with Yoruba Nation's increasingly violent protests in Nigeria, the collaboration is a concerning trend.
Actions and connections are more powerful than words. As a result, Yoruba Nation's rhetoric of human rights advancement must be dismissed.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government would continue its work at the United Nations to combat corruption and illegal money flows, as well as to promote international collaboration.
If we want to see stolen monies restored to their rightful owners in Nigeria, the government must continue to advocate for and coordinate worldwide asset recovery efforts.
The government will continue to be the key regional actor in the battle against global terrorism, particularly those originating from the Sahel area. Nigeria also offers technical experience with nations in the Caribbean, Africa, and the Pacific through the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps program.
Simultaneously, the administration is establishing an environmental sustainability program to fight projects that harm Nigerian communities in vulnerable areas.
Only via the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can we ensure Nigeria's prosperity in the future.
As Africa's largest country, the government takes its leadership position seriously and will continue to work for continental unity, collaboration, and shared prosperity.
As a result, we want the media to collaborate with the government to concentrate attention on the key problems that the President, the country's leader, has on his agenda.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 15, 2021
