Amotekun: Yoruba World Congress Holds Peaceful Rally In Ondo

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

Yoruba World Congress (YWC), on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo state capital held a peaceful rally in support of the newly launched South West regional security outfit, Operation Amotekun. 

The rally which kicked off at the MKO Abiola democracy park, Akure by 11am was attended by youths from various tertiary institutions in the state, traders and artisans. 

The participants who later moved to the palace of the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo and the office of the Governor. 

At the palace of the Deji of Akure, the monarch who spoke through his chief of staff, Toyin Aladetoyinbo urged those participating in the rally to maintain peace and carried out their activities lawfully. 

The monarch said the people of Akure are in support of any ploy that will bring peace and cohesion to the South West region. 

The coordinator of the groups, Mr Oluyi Akintade said the rally was to express support for the South West Governors on Operation Amotekun, urging the Governors not to bow to pressure from Federal Government. 

He said “Operation Amotekun has come to stay in the South West and no force on earth can stop it. The people of Yoruba land are solidly behind the Governor and we shall continue to stand by them. 

“The Yoruba people have spoken with one voice and we are determined to ensure that Operation Amotekun stays. We are appealing to the six Governors of the South West to stand by their people on this issue.”

The participants at the rally who wore clothes with the inscription of Amotekun and carried various Yoruba traditional objects, chanted various solidarity songs in support of Operation Amotekun. 

Addressing them, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Chairman, South West Governors Forum declared that the Western Nigeria Security Network otherwise known as Operation Amotekun has come to stay inspite of pressure by the Federal Government. 

Governor Akeredolu said the six Governors of the South West region have resolved not to bow to pressure from any quarter on the new security outfit. 

Akeredolu who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale, said “we are not ready to abandon our people. We shall stand by the people of the Yoruba race notwithstanding the pressure.” 

He declared that no challenge from any individual or government agency would make the Governors of the South West to succumb on operation Amotekun. 

“I am assuring the entire Yoruba people and the whole world that Operation Amotekun has come to stay. This is not an alternative to Police or any of the recognized security agency in the country,” Akeredolu stressed.