The family of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola have distanced themselves from the declaration of support for the Yoruba Nation agitators spearheaded by one of the late politician’s widows, Dupe Onitiri-Abiola.
In a viral video, Onitiri-Abiola called for the “Democratic Republic of Yoruba.”
She declared that the Democratic Republic of Yoruba came into existence on Friday, April 12, a day before Yoruba Nation agitators invaded the Oyo State Government secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan.
In the video, Onitiri-Abiola spoke in the Yoruba dialect and said: “We are indigenous people. We are sovereign people. We are ethnic nationalists. That we should leave Nigeria. Today, April 12, 2024, we leave with the power of God.
“I, Modupe Onitiri-Abiola, proclaim the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Yoruba. From today, Yoruba land begins its government. It has become the newest nation. Yoruba became a country that nobody is against. This is hereby established. I, Modupe Onitire-Abiola, am an origin of Yoruba. I am MKO Abiola’s widow.”
While reacting to her proclamation on behalf of the family, Jamiu Abiola, one of the late Abiola’s children, told newsmen that Onitiri-Abiola “is on her own.”
Jamiu, who is currently the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Special Duties, urged Nigerians not to take her proclamation as representing the family.
He said: “I heard about that, and like almost all Nigerians, I didn’t take her (Onitiri-Abiola) declaration seriously. I have never met her in my life, talk less of knowing her motives. But that is not what is important.
“When it comes to Nigeria’s unity, many people know how much my father believed in it. Even after his arrest and incarceration, not once did he advocate for Nigeria’s division. So I don’t believe any Abiola has the right to promote the division of this country.
“Particularly now, because if my father were alive today, he would have been so happy that his closest and most highly competent associate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is doing all he would have wanted to do if he had been allowed to exercise his mandate.”
He made it known that the late MKO had four official wives “in addition to women who are also known as his wives.”
Jamiu stated that the late Abiola adopted certain types of relationships as a way of taking care of as many people as possible.
