Apapo Oodua Koya labels Senate Leader ‘A Betrayer of Yoruba Trust’

October 03, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Coalition of pan-Yoruba groups, Apapo Oodua Koya (AOKOYA), has launched a scathing attack on Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central in the National Assembly, condemning him as a “disgrace to Yoruba Nation”.

In a media release signed by Ahmed Korede on Thursday, the coalition accused Bamidele of betraying his constituency and the Yoruba Nation, citing his inaction in promoting Yoruba interests since 1999.

“Bamidele has ridden on the crest of Yoruba agitation to climb the political ladder, but has done nothing to promote Yoruba interest,” the statement read.

The coalition’s accusations come amidst controversy surrounding regional government discussions in the Senate, sparking concerns among Yoruba groups about Bamidele’s commitment to their cause.

The coalition said, “His office located at Mushin was one of the places used by many Yoruba self-determination groups, including the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC) to hold meetings in the 1990s.

“He was a former President of National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANs) and a sympathiser of the Campaign for Democracy. All these traditions, this history, Bamidele has shamelessly betrayed in deed, in speech and in action.”

The coalition further mentioned that Senator Bamidele has never said anything about various attacks on Yoruba people since 2011 stating that four Yoruba traditional rulers have been gunned down by armed bandits, along with hundreds of Yoruba people who have been killed by armed men suspected to be members of Fulani militias.

AOKOYA described Bamidele as ‘extremely opportunistic, cunny and unreliable.’

It said Bamidele is an outstanding enemy of restructuring in Nigeria and “a saboteur of freedom for ethnic minorities”.

AOKOYA, “These traits he has consistently demonstrated in his political career since 1999. That was why he jumped from one party to the other, back and forth, driven by desperation and personal ego.

“Bamidele is known for not picking calls when it has to do with Yoruba issues, when he gives you his number, he might give you up to 10 numbers showing his deceitful and irresponsible character.”

The coalition stated, “In his characteristic manner, he was evasive on what he said and did not say on regionalism. He has found it difficult to stand on any Yoruba issue. He said he did not speak on Yoruba regionalism but at the same time he has refused to make his stand known on the debate regarding regionalism, being the minimum request of the Yoruba people.

“At critical moments in Yoruba history, Opeyemi is a traitor, a conscious one and agent provocateur in the midst of the long-suffering Yoruba people.”

The statement added, “We assure you, Bamidele that at the fullness of time, you will not have a dignified place in Yorubaland. You are a big disgrace to the Yoruba people, a threat to the collective aspiration of Yoruba people. Today, you are a ‘hero’ as defined by the rogue Nigerian state that feeds on the blood of mankind.”

The coalition said, “The sky and the moon, the stars, the comets and the scurrying cloud will sing the praises of the new Yoruba nation that will emerge from the ruins of the present to the glory of God, the creator of heaven and earth.”