Nigeria’s Monarch, Ooni Tells Buhari To Listen To Secession Agitators

The Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye, has called on Nigerian leaders to address the concerns of youths agitating for a breakup of the country.

The monarch believes the young Nigerians are uncertain of what the future holds for them considering the present realities in the nation.

Speaking when he featured as guest on Channels Television’s News Night on Monday, the traditional ruler stressed the need to fix Nigeria.

He said, “The truth be told, people are just frustrated, people are very frustrated; that’s why you are seeing agitation left, right, and centre,” he said.

“If things are in place properly, if institutions are properly entrenched, we are not going to be having such agitation at all. For me, it is a sensitive matter because they (the agitators) are youths; because they are very afraid of the future. What does the future hold for them?

“The system has not even supported any of their dreams before, nobody even cares about them other than their parents. Some of them even lack parental value and background, and support; so, they will expect the system to support them.”

In recent times, there have been increased agitations for secession and self-determination of different regions in the country, mostly led youths.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) – a group of young Nigerians in the South-East is agitating to break out of the country, some youths in the South West are also calling for a Yoruba Nation.

This has, however, been publicly condemned by a majority of traditional and political leaders in both regions who distance themselves from the action of the youths.

Although Oba Adeyeye is one of the prominent Nigerians who insist a united Nigeria is a way forward, he warns leaders against turning a deaf ear to the yearnings of the agitators.

“For me, it is a very tight position but what is key for me is whoever that is agitating, let our leaders talk to them. Let us cultivate a listening ear; it is important.

“It is very sensitive, it is not an ideal thing; if a country is big, the better for everybody. The strength of us together is better but when agitations like this are coming us, listen to them,” the monarch said.