Kaduna (WorldStage Newsonline)-- The Yoruba community in the Northern part of Nigeria has been hit by crisis, as two factions now lay claim to the leadership of the community.
One faction is being led by Mr.Abdul-Ganiyu Ishola Oguntoyinbo while the other group has as its leader Alhaji Mohammed Arigbabowo.
The Oguntoyibo-led group is calling on the Yoruba community in the North to disregard the faction being led by Arigbabowo as president-general of the Yoruba in the North.
According to a statement signed by the General Secretary, Tunde Aliagan of the opposing group, Oguntoyinbo, remained their authentic leader.
However, Arigbabowo said the Oguntoyinbo group were just out to deceived Yorubas in the North, urging them to go to the court o seek redress.
He said: “Oguntoyinbo group are just deceiving themselves, they should go to court, they just want people to recognize them by all means. I am still the President of the Yoruba in the North. Oguntoyinbo is not our President.
“There is a proverb in Yoruba which says that if you see a snake, kill it, not until it escaped before you begin to look for it. Why is it now that they want to stop me from being their leader after I have piloted the affairs of the community to a peaceful and progressive position?”
But the statement maintained that, “the authentic and elected President of the Yoruba community councils which is the umbrella organ of the Yorubas is Alhaji Abdul-Ganiyu Ishola Oguntoyinbo.
“The Yoruba community council observes with dismay the frequent reference to one Alhaji Mohammed Arigbabowo as the President of the Yorubas in the North.
“Any group or organization of yorubas by whatever name called is subsidiary to the Yoruba community council where current leadership is not contested. This therefore serves as an admonition to Alhaji Mohammed Arigbabowo to desist from acts that are likely to mislead the general public.
“Yoruba community council is established to promote the welfare of all yoruba’s in the North, foster peaceful co-existence with other nationals and work for the peace and progress of all Nigerians.”
