The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has frowned on the comment made by the Chairman of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Elders, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, “ridiculing the Yoruba race”.
The group said it had received several complaints from sons and daughters of the ethnic group over Iwuanyanwu’s comment.
The National Organising Secretary of the group, Abagun Omololu, disclosed this in a statement titled, “RE: THE DIVISIVE AWKA COMMENT BY CHIEF EMMANUEL IWUANYANWU,” on Sunday.
The group said Iwuanyanwu had made a comment ridiculing the Yoruba race in Awka, Anambra State, on Saturday.
The PUNCH reports that Iwuanyanwu had condemned individuals fuelling ethnic baiting in Lagos State.
Describing them as “political rascals”, Iwuanyanwu said there was no war between the Igbo and the Yoruba in the state.
“We are in Nigeria and we have invested in Nigeria. Our investments are so much. We are not going to take the pressure of people telling us to go. We are not going anywhere.
“I want to tell those in Lagos to realise that there is no war between us (Igbo) and Yoruba. They are just political rascals, and we’re going to handle them.”
Iwuanyanwu said the elders had directed the secretary general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to set up a commission of inquiry to find out things destroyed, saying “people are going to pay.”
Afenifere disclosed it would get in touch with the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to seek explanation on why Iwuanyanwu made the comment.
“We hereby call on Ohanaeze to warn the Chief not to insult the Yoruba. We are a proud nation. We are a hospitable race. All these should not be interpreted to mean weakness. In fact, it is a sign of being civilised. Enough of the provocation.”
However, Omololu urged the Yoruba to remain calm, peaceful and loving and to the Igbo and every Nigerian.
“We are one people under one nation and one God. The Yoruba have a long history of association and partnership with our Igbo brothers and sisters. Our diversity is one of Nigeria’s strengths in the comity of nations and we should not allow politics, religion , ethnicity or anything else to divide us.
“We urge all Yoruba to continue to relate well with all other ethnic groups in Nigeria and abroad.”
Omololu noted that humanity is more important than the divisive antics or careless remarks of any individual or group.
“The Yoruba are known worldwide as promoters of peace, unity and orderliness. We should hold on strongly to those virtues in the interest of peace, progress and prosperity in Nigeria and the world,” he added.
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