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Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba (Grand Council of Yoruba Youths) has invited All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirants of Yoruba extraction to a Yoruba unity agenda meeting, will come up in Ibadan, the South West political headquarters.
A statement issued on Sunday by the group’s President-General, Comrade Awa Bamiji, said those expected at the meeting include former Lagos State Governor and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole; and Pastor Tunde Bakare.
The youths had earlier announced the names of members of the Yoruba unity agenda committee.
The members of the commitee, according to the youths include Gen. Alani Akinrinade (Rtd) (Yoruba Assembly); Alaafin of Oyo; Ooni of Ife; Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu (Yoruba Unity Forum); Dr Kunle Olajide (Yoruba Council of Elders); Prof Bolanle Awe (Yoruba Elders, Women’s Wing); Prince Tajudeen Olusi (Yoruba Elders, Men’s Wing); and Comrade Awa Bamiji (Yoruba Youths).
They, however, said following the demise of Alaafin, Olubadan of Ibadan land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun (Alli Okunmade II), will take over as the host of the meeting.
“Unfortunately, we lost Alaafin of Oyo to the cold hands of death. Therefore, it was unanimously agreed upon that His Royal Majesty, Oba Mahood Olalekan Ishola Balogun (Alli Okunmade II), Olubadan of Ibadan land should take over from him as the host of this historic meeting, because he is not only from Oyo State like late Alaafin of Oyo, but he is also the present Olubadan of Ibadan land, the South West political headquarters, where the meeting will take place, and Kabiyesi had since swung into action to host this august gathering accordingly,” the statement said.
“The Yoruba unity agenda meeting has now been convened by this noble committee and it will hold soon be amidst tight security, in Ibadan. To this end, each Yoruba presidential aspirant will need to kindly liase with us at the secretariat regarding the venue, time and date, all of which we won’t disclose until when the communique of the meeting is ready to be made public in the interest of peace within the Yoruba land. This mission is in line with our vision of ‘omode gbon, agba gbon.’
“Thank you so much Omo Yoruba atata, in anticipation of your attendance in person because the situation on ground requires such personal appearance only. Odu’a a gbewa o!” it added.