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The leadership of Yoruba World Congress (YWC) on Tuesday announced the removal of four of its protem officials, declaring that the removal of the affected persons from their executive positions was with immediate effect.
The leadership of the 16-memeber yoruba group led by a foremost historian, Professor Banji Akintoye, made the announcement, following a meeting held at the international secretariat of the organisation in Lagos.
A release issued at the the end of the meeting disclosed that the four affected protem officers were present within the premises, but “chose not to attend the meeting.”
It gave the names of the officials as Chief Tola Adeniyi, Chief Anthony Kila, Dr Amos Akingba, and Mr. Solagbade Popoola,
The release also stated that the meeting was called by Akintoye, adding that henceforth, all the sacked officers will now be floor members of YWC, if they still want to be part of the group.
The body further demanded that all materials, money and paraphernalia of the organisation in the possession of the sacked officials be handed over to the leadership of the congress with immediate effect.
“Pending the official elections to nominate and elect the substantive leaders to lead the YWC into the future, the remaining members of the Leadership Council shall continue to steer the affairs of the organisation under the able leadership of Professor Banji Akintoye,” the release added.
According to the release, those who attended the meeting are Professors Banji Akintoye and Ezekiel Ogundowole; Dr Wale Adeniran; Mr Kunle Adesokan; Otunba Sade Olukoya; Chief Imam of Yoruba, Sheik Abdulraheem; Mr. Akin Adejuwon; Mr Akinola George; Mrs. Bunmi Abidogun and Pastor Olusegun Bankole
But speaking with Nigerian Tribune, Dr Akingba confirmed his attendance at the meeting. He, however, said the meeting deliberated on different thing outside of what it was called for.
Akingba, who said he also got to know about the decision of the meeting like every other person as he read it on different platforms, described the decision to remove him and the others as unfair and embarrassing.
“I was at the meeting, but we got there to find out that some other people who were not supposed to be there were also there in attendance.
“It was not what the meeting was called for that was deliberated upon, it was a different thing entirely. The decision reached there was not only unfair but also embarrassing.
“I have nothing in my possession as property of the Congress to return. I don’t have property of the Congress in my possession, if I have any, I will return it,” he said.