Mallam Garba Shehu, Snr Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
Mallam Garba Shehu, Snr Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

Yoruba Nation agitators-IPOB joint protest at UN headquarters in New York shocking, worrying development — Presidency

297
“IPOB is a designated terrorist organisation. It has now publicly revealed a 50,000 strong paramilitary organisation”
The ongoing protest by Yoruba Nation agitators, IPOB and the Middle Belt group at the United Nations headquarters in New York has attracted the attention of the Nigerian Government.

The Presidency said on Wednesday that the staging of the protest in collaboration with IPOB was shocking.

“It was, however shocking, to see “Yoruba Nation” advocates yesterday unequivocally throw their lot in with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“IPOB is a designated terrorist organisation. It has now publicly revealed a 50,000 strong paramilitary organisation,” it said in a statement by Mr Garba Shehu,  the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.
It faulted Yoruba Nation agitators for “keeping association” with lPOB.
The government, therefore, threatened to “judge the Yoruba Nation agitators by the company they keep”, saying that no one should take them seriously.
“It regularly murders security services and innocent civilians with a significant uptick of violent attacks this year.
“And it is currently attempting to hold Nigerian states hostage with orders to stay at home under threat of terror.

“Without doubt, Nigerians and the entire world will judge Yoruba Nation by the company it keeps.

“No one can take seriously this organisation if it continues its IPOB association. When their allies systematically trample human rights, it raises sober questions about their claims to uphold the values of the UN,” the Buhari Presidency said.

Describing the cooperation as a worrying development, the statement, a copy of which was given to Persecondnews, noted: “Once parsed with Yoruba Nation’s increasingly violent rallies in Nigeria.

“Actions and associations speak louder than words. Yoruba Nation’s talk of human rights promotion must therefore be ignored.”

Persecondnews had reported the staging of one-million-man freedom march on Tuesday, September 14 at the ongoing 76th UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, United States by the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS) .
The protest is called to draw international support for their cause which includes an end to the genocide being perpetrated by herdsmen in the Middle Belt and Southern Nigeria under the guise of open grazing.
The President’s Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyema among others are attending the General Assembly while President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to address the Assembly on September 24.
It will be recalled that the 17 governors from Southern Nigeria met and came up with a communique banning open grazing in their states with effect from Sept. 1.
Virtually all the states have passed the anti-open grazing bill and assented by the governors.
But Miyetti Allah, the herders’ umbrella body in the North had kicked against the law and threatened that it was heading to court to challenge it.
The protest which will last till September 21, coincides with the 76th UN General Assembly which got underway on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
The protesters drawn from Yoruba Self Determination Groups, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other agitators from the Middle Belt are also asking the United Nations to supervise referendums in the Middle Belt and southern parts of Nigeria for self-determination.
The separatist campaigners said they rejected the 1999 Nigerian Constitution in its entirety.
Speaking in New York during the first day of the protest, the Chairman of NINAS, Prof. Banji Akintoye, a professor of History, and other leaders said the objective of the one-million-man march is to draw the attention of world leaders to state-sponsored terrorism in some parts of Nigeria.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Lagos, Abuja airports receive full NCAA certification

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport...

Day 3 of African Military Games: Nigerian Armed Forces Shine, Win 17 Medals

The Nigerian Armed Forces have made a remarkable impact at the ongoing...

Eight secondary school boys seize, gang-rape 14-year-old schoolgirl in Ogun

A 14-year-old schoolgirl in the Ijebu-Mushin area of Ogun State has been...

FG raises N346bln at Nov. 2024 bond auction, reflecting strong investor interest

The Federal Government has successfully raised N346.155 billion at its November 2024...

Breaking: Supreme Court Nullifies National Lottery Act

The Supreme Court on Friday nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 enacted...

NNPC Ltd. hosts NSC boss, pledges support for revitalization of Nigerian football

In a significant move to boost Nigerian football, the Nigerian National Petroleum...

Nigerian youths essential to repositioning Africa, says VP Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to youth...

Just in: Simon Ekpa ‘ll be extradited to Nigeria to face charges – Defence Headquarters

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has announced plans to extradite Simon Ekpa,...

NPA’s CEO Dantsoho Makes History as First Nigerian Chairman of PMAWCA

In a groundbreaking achievement, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian...

Just in: Senate confirms Omolola Oloworaran as DG PENCOM

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Omolola Oloworaran for appointment...

Save for rainy day, Federal Accountant General urges state govts, emphasizes transparency, accountability

In a bid to ensure financial stability during adverse situations and economic...

Just in: Senate approves Tinubu’s $2.2 bln loan request

The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2...

Just in: Reps reject bill for six-year single tenure for president, governors

The House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment bill on Thursday seeking...

Just in: Simon Ekpa, four others arrested in Finland over terror-related activities

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, and four others have been arrested in...

Sacked UNIZIK VC Odoh to Tinubu: You can’t fire me through press release

Sacked Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), in Awka, Anambra State, Prof....

UBA to empower MSME’s with wealth management strategies at its ‘Built to Last’ series

As part of its commitment to deepen the growth and sustainability of...

Olopade assumes office as NSC DG, promises new lease of life for Nigerian sports

Bukola Olopade had assumed office as the Director General of the resuscitated...

Amid High Inflation Rate, IMF Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Economic Reforms

International Monetary Fund (IMF) President Kristalina Georgieva and her team met with...

Nigeria’s Super Falcons Ajibade, Nnadozie, Nominated for 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the nominees for the...

Just in: FG announces reshuffle of governing councils at FUOYE, Kogi varsity

The Federal Government has made changes to the governing councils of Federal...