Ahead of Saturday’s March 18 rescheduled governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos State, the Yoruba World Congress (YWC) has warned Yorubas across Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta residing in Lagos State to re-awake their consciousness by voting in favour of the integrity of Yorubaland.
The group said the step became necessary to salvage the state from external dominantion willing to take over the state by force.
Addressing pressmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, YWC spokesman, Babatunde Tolase alleged that the present agitation in the state is calculated to invade and take over by crooked means the Yoruba economic centre, adding that Yoruba people must wake up from their slumber to retain the pride of the land.
According to YWC, the unusual and annoying laying of claim to a particular candidate by a tribe, which Lagosians have over the years, accommodated and allowed to thrive on their soil is a plan to forcefully take over Yorubaland.
He said: “We know that our magnanimity is being taken for granted. But we require and appeal to all Yorubas to stand tall the defence of our fatherland.”
“Let us all come out enemas for the sake of the unity of Yorubaland to vote in Babajide Sanwoolu to come back to compliment his hardwork. We all can testify to his good works and managerial skills.”
“Voting for Babajide Sanwoolu is a drive towards Yoruba unity and stronghold in Lagos State.”
YWC said the warning is neccesitated due to various information of calumny, making the rounds about the ownership of the commercial and economic capital of Nigeria, saying the concern of YWC is arrogation of ownership of Lagos by some people who are alien to Lagos origin.
“The Yoruba world congress is a socio-cultural organisation established to champion the cause and interest of Yoruba both in Nigeria and all over the world.”
“This organisation has been in existence since 1987 with General Alani Akinrinade as the 1st President of the organisation, while other prominent members of the organisation are, Dr. Yomi Fini, Dr. Amos Akingba (activist and educationist), Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, among others.”