Ojota Fracas: YWC Condemns Police-Protesters’ Faceoff, Reiterates Support For Restructuring
Following the fracas that engulfed the Prof. Banji Akintoye-led Ilana Omo Oodua’s protests at Ojota, Lagos State, on Monday morning, the leadership of Yoruba World Congress (YWC) has condemned in strong terms the peaceful rally-turned-bloody violence.
This condemnation was made on Monday by the President of Yoruba World Congress, Engr. Tajudeen Raheem while reacting to the unfortunate incident in which innocent lives were lost and others sustained different degrees of injuries.
According to Engr. Raheem, the violence that arose from the rally at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park at Ojota has vindicated his organization’s belief in the pursuance of peace and harmony in Yoruba land.
The YWC leader stated that his organization recognizes that peaceful protests and self determination is within the inalienable rights of the citizenry, he however, reiterates YWC support for restructuring as a means of achieving long lasting peace and national development which according to him is the reason why YWC has thrown it’s full weight behind the candidacy of All Progressives Congress flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
In his words, “we at Yoruba World Congress condemn in it’s entirety the face-off between the Police officers and some of the Yoruba Nation agitators which sadly resulted in loss of innocent lives and severe injuries to several others. We want to state unequivocally that killing of innocent lives in whatever form and under any guise is barbaric and should be avoided at all costs.
“While we recognize that Nigerian police have the right to perform their constitutional duties of maintaining law and order, we at YWC are, however, frown at any situation where such actions are snowballed into loss of innocent lives. Also, we believe that police have the right to protect themselves while discharging their duties, however it’s part of the law enforcement agents’ professionalism to ensure that no mayhem is unleashed on innocent citizens while doing so.
“Just as it is said that ‘pen is mightier than sword’ we at YWC believe in our forefather’s popular saying that ‘application of wisdom is better than sheer use of force’. Hence our resolve to give our full support to restructuring of our nation, he concluded.
Engr Raheem on behalf of Yoruba World Congress express their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved while also praying that God Almighty will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.