Yoruba organizations issue warning of impending escalation of violence, call for Nigeria's overhaul prior to 2027

A coalition of pan-Yoruba groups, operating under the banner of the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, has sounded the alarm that Nigeria is on the cusp of a new wave of terrorism, driven by extremist elements with powerful political backing seeking to destabilize the country's democratic foundations.

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These groups, united under the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, issued a stark warning in a communiqué following a two-day conference in Lagos, where they also urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to undertake a comprehensive restructuring of the country ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.

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The communiqué, jointly signed by Popoola Ajayi, the General Secretary of AYDM, alongside Rasaq Arogundade, Taofik Adeyemi, and Alice Asoropa, highlighted grave security concerns, noting that terrorists have escalated their operations in Nigeria, particularly with the deployment of Improvised Explosive Devices.

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A recent incident in Kwara State, where an Improvised Explosive Device claimed the life of a commercial driver and injured a nursing mother and child, was cited as evidence of the expanding tactics of terrorists, according to the groups.

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The communiqué also pointed to global tensions, especially the crisis involving Iran, Israel, and the United States in the Middle East, as being exploited by extremist elements in Nigeria to intensify terror attacks, further destabilizing the country.

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The groups alleged that political actors and entrenched interests are backing terrorism in Nigeria, claiming that terrorists have economic and ideological sponsors within the political class, who are masquerading as elected and unelected politicians and statesmen.

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According to the communiqué, the current Federal Government is grappling with the economic, political, and military dimensions of terrorism in Nigeria, with terrorists aiming to destroy the country's political, cultural, and economic foundations to establish a theocratic fiefdom.

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The meeting noted that a set of disgruntled politicians, excluded from the Tinubu administration, are intensifying a campaign of terror across the country, exploiting their political and economic influence to back extremist elements.

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The communiqué reiterated that the terrorists' goal is to gain power and turn Nigeria into a theocratic fiefdom, highlighting the destructive mindset of these groups which act without consideration for the consequences of their actions.

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To address the security challenges, the groups called for the immediate establishment of state police and a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's security architecture, including the decentralization of military training institutions into regional commands.

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Guest speaker Adewale Adeoye delivered a lecture titled “Democracy, Peoples Power and Livelihood in the South-West,” emphasizing the need for citizens to defend democracy and mobilize in support of the country's restructuring.

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The AYDM stressed that restructuring remains the most critical step to prevent Nigeria from descending into anarchy, condemning the killings and attacks in the South-West, where terrorists have targeted traditional rulers and planted explosives on highways in recent years.

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The groups insisted that restructuring is the long-term solution to Nigeria's political and security challenges, emphasizing the need for the country to transition into a truly federal and democratic state that reflects its diversity.

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The communiqué urged swift action, stating that the restructuring of the country is a historic step that should have been taken over 50 years ago, and that there is no time to waste in addressing these critical issues.

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The groups also condemned any attempt to overthrow democracy through a coup, warning that such an attempt would trigger an unprecedented crisis and plunge the country into chaos.

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They cautioned that the plotters of a coup have an agenda to push Nigeria into a fascist past, aligning with the goals of the terrorists ravaging the country, and that their actions would have devastating consequences for West Africa.

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The groups called for the speedy trial of alleged coup plotters, advocating that those found guilty should face the full weight of the law to serve as a deterrent to future coup attempts.

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The communiqué emphasized that the next President in 2027 should come from the South, arguing that the North has ruled Nigeria for 46 years since 1960, while the South has only held power for 20 years, and that any attempt by the North to produce the next President would be resisted as it would undermine national unity.