The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has strongly challenged a recent statement credited to a group known as Iyonda Yoruba, which called on Yoruba people across the Southwest and beyond to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, describing the declaration as presumptuous, divisive, and an attempt to speak for millions of Yoruba people without an established mandate from the people.
In a statement issued on Monday, the President of the Yoruba Youth Council, Aare (Mogaji) Alawode Rahmon Akintunde, described the position attributed to the group as ridiculous, particularly if it was intended to present the political preference of a single organisation as the collective position of the entire Yoruba nation.
He questioned the authority under which the group purported to speak for Yorubaland, demanding to know who authorised it to determine the political choices of Yoruba people with diverse interests, experiences, ideological convictions, and party affiliations.
“Who is Iyonda Yoruba to speak on behalf of the entire Yoruba nation? Who gave the group the mandate to declare what millions of Yoruba people must do at the ballot box in 2027? The Yoruba people are not a political monolith, and no individual or organisation has the exclusive right to dictate their collective political direction,” Akintunde stated.
He described the statement as unexpected from a group whose representative mandate and organisational reach, in his view, had not been sufficiently established to justify such sweeping claims on behalf of Yorubaland.
According to him, while freedom of expression and political participation remain fundamental democratic rights, such freedoms must not be confused with the authority to impose a political position on an entire ethnic nationality.
YORUBA PEOPLE DESERVE FACTS, NOT POLITICAL GENERALISATIONS
The YYC President acknowledged that economic hardship, rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity, and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians are legitimate issues that deserve serious public debate. However, he insisted that these challenges must be examined through credible facts, balanced analysis, and constructive engagement rather than emotional rhetoric or blanket political declarations.
He challenged the authors of the statement to substantiate their economic comparisons with verifiable and current data, particularly their claims concerning minimum wages, fuel prices, social benefits, and standards of living in Libya, Saudi Arabia, Norway, and Nigeria.
Akintunde noted that international comparisons must take into account differences in exchange rates, purchasing power, employment structures, eligibility for social benefits, living costs, and the distinction between citizens’ entitlements and the conditions of migrant workers.
He further stressed that quoting figures without sufficient context could mislead the public and weaken the credibility of an otherwise important conversation about economic welfare.
“The hardship Nigerians are experiencing must not be denied or trivialised. Our people deserve better living conditions, improved security, employment opportunities, affordable transportation, quality education, and accessible healthcare. But these issues require serious analysis and practical solutions, not political conclusions presented as the unanimous position of the Yoruba nation,” he said.
He also urged all political actors and socio-cultural organisations to recognise that the 2027 elections should provide an opportunity for informed debate, accountability, and a careful assessment of the policies and performance of political parties and their candidates.
2027 ELECTIONS: YORUBA LEADERS MUST PROVIDE DIRECTION
The Yoruba Youth Council President called on the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja; the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I; and other prominent traditional rulers, Yoruba elders, political leaders, youth organisations, professionals, and socio-cultural stakeholders to give the political future of Yorubaland the attention it deserves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He maintained that the future of Yoruba people must not be left to isolated declarations, partisan propaganda, or the competing ambitions of individual political groups.
According to him, the region requires a coordinated, inclusive, and forward-looking conversation on how to protect its interests, strengthen democratic participation, improve security, create employment, empower young people, and promote economic development.
He therefore proposed the convening of a Yoruba Leaders’ Summit on the 2027 General Elections and the Future of Yorubaland.
The proposed summit, he explained, should bring together traditional rulers, political leaders across party lines, Yoruba socio-cultural organisations, youth and women groups, professional bodies, academics, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, and representatives of civil society.
The summit would provide a platform to examine the political choices before the region, assess the performance and policy proposals of competing political parties, identify Yoruba people’s common priorities, and develop a framework for constructive engagement with candidates seeking elective offices.
Akintunde emphasised that the summit should not be organised to impose a particular political party on Yoruba people but to encourage informed decision-making, responsible political participation, and a shared commitment to the region’s long-term interests.
“The Ooni of Ife, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Alaafin of Oyo, and other respected Yoruba leaders have important roles to play in encouraging dialogue, unity, and responsible engagement. We need a Yoruba Leaders’ Summit where we can discuss our collective future, evaluate the options before us, and determine how best to protect the interests of our people in 2027.
“We cannot afford to reduce the future of an entire region to the declaration of one group. Yoruba people must be allowed to make their choices based on facts, conscience, performance, policy, and the future they desire for their children,” he declared.
NO PARTY SHOULD BE ABOVE ACCOUNTABILITY
The YYC President further maintained that neither the APC nor any other political party should be shielded from scrutiny. He said all parties seeking the support of Yoruba voters must be prepared to explain their records, programmes, and plans for addressing the challenges confronting the people.
He urged voters to examine the performance of governments at the federal and state levels, assess the credibility of candidates, and demand clear commitments on security, infrastructure, education, agriculture, healthcare, employment, and economic opportunities.
He also cautioned against turning legitimate concerns about governance into ethnic divisions or attempts to silence alternative political opinions.
According to him, the Yoruba political tradition has historically accommodated debate, intellectual engagement, and competing ideas, and this tradition must be preserved as the country approaches another general election.
“Democracy is not about forcing everybody to agree with one political position. It is about presenting arguments, examining the facts, holding leaders accountable, and allowing the people to decide through the ballot box.
“If Iyonda Yoruba believes that the APC should be rejected in 2027, the group is entitled to present its arguments and mobilise supporters. But it must not assume that its position automatically represents the collective decision of all Yoruba people. Other Yoruba people are equally entitled to their opinions, and the electorate will ultimately determine the outcome,” Akintunde added.
A CALL FOR UNITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND A COMMON YORUBA AGENDA
The Yoruba Youth Council reiterated its commitment to youth participation, democratic engagement, cultural preservation, and the advancement of Yoruba interests across Nigeria and in the diaspora.
It called on Yoruba organisations to move beyond confrontational political declarations and embrace a more inclusive process that recognises the region’s diversity while identifying common priorities for development.
The council also urged media organisations, political commentators, and socio-cultural groups to verify claims before amplifying them, especially when such claims concern the collective position of an ethnic nationality.
Akintunde concluded by appealing to Yoruba traditional institutions and other respected stakeholders to consider the proposed summit as an opportunity to promote dialogue, responsible leadership, and a clearer vision for the region ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The Yoruba nation is bigger than any individual, association, or political party. Nobody owns the Yoruba voice, and nobody should presume to dictate the political future of our people.
“Our priority must be to protect the interests of Yorubaland, strengthen our democracy, empower our youth, promote peace, and ensure that whoever emerges through the electoral process understands the responsibility of serving the people.
“We therefore call on our royal fathers, political leaders, elders, and stakeholders to come together for a Yoruba Leaders’ Summit. Let us discuss the issues, examine the facts, and prepare our people to make informed decisions in 2027. The future of Yorubaland deserves nothing less,” he said.
Signed:
Aare (Mogaji) Alawode Rahmon Akintunde
President, Yoruba Youth Council (YYC)
07036078155
admin@yycnational.org
