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Hundreds of youths, women and leaders of Yoruba race under the aegis of Ilana Omo Oodua, on Saturday occupied some streets in Ibadan,demanding for Oduduwa Republic.
The group, led by renowned historian, Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye, converged in front of Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The group is clamouring for self determination and secession from Nigeria.
The rally which was supposed to start around 9am on could not start until 11am due to heavy security presence around Mapo Hall.
The group having sensed heavy security presence later mobilised to Mapo roundabout to begin the rally.
Some of those who spoke noted that Yoruba nation had suffered enough in Nigeria.
One of the leaders of the group, Bashorun Kunle Adesokan, maintained that Yoruba race has suffered for long time, adding that the time for a Yoruba country is now.
He condemned the insecurity in Yorubaland, saying the people could no longer stand the injustice in Nigeria.
He said: “We are no longer part of Nigeria. Yoruba people are determined to stand alone. We are starting the rally here in Ibadan because this is the capital of the Yoruba nation.
”Our brothers in Kwara, Lagos, Kogi, Edo, Delta and other states are here. We are not going to use violence, we want the Yoruba nation. No retreat no surrender. Let Hausa go their way, let Fulani go their own way and Igbo people should also go.
“The rally has taken off, we won’t stop until we achieve our aim.”
One of the leaders of Itsekiri youths present at the rally, Isaac Ajatitan, said Itsekiri people are part of Yoruba and would give their maximum support to achieve a Yoruba nation.