By Lukman Olabiyi
Two factions of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC New Era and OPC Reformed), South West Hunters Union, (SWHU), Agbekoya Solidarity, South West Vigilante Coalition (SWVC), and 116 other groups have warned those they claimed have been demonising people for supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The groups under the umbrella of Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), issued the warning while declaring their support for the aspiration of Tinubu to become the next president of Nigeria in 2023.
Reading the resolution of the coalition on the candidature of Tinubu, at a press conference, leader of South West Progressives Movement (SWPM), Ajayi Taiwo said they considered all the necessary factors and interest of Nigerians’ masses before taking their decision.
He said some non-indigenes in Yorubaland were demonising people for supporting Tinubu’s aspiration, warning that such would no longer be tolerated.
“We are also cautioning and warning those who wish to demonise Yorubaland to remember that we are guided by the principle of proportional response. Those who despise us shall be slightly esteemed while those who live on our land, respect our values, have respect for Yoruba people have nothing to fear but will receive our double honour,” he said.
Ajayi said the coalition was ready to campaign vigorously, with all their “strength, sweat, brain and even brawl, through the streets, on the road, in the farms, on the sea shores, in the valleys, on the mountains and land for Tinubu’s victory in 2023.”
The coalition also announced the appointment of 150, 000 campaign volunteers who will work till March next year for Tinubu.
He said: “The mandate of the campaign volunteers is to canvass for Tinubu’s victory at the poll, by ensuring 90 per cent turnout of voters in the South West; to protect the mandate and ensure that the votes are not stolen and also to defend the mandate in post election months and years.”
