Yoruba declared herself on the 20th of November 2022 an independent nation to the global community of nations using the process known as unilateral declaration of independence (UDI).
A unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) or “unilateral secession” is a formal process leading to the establishment of a new state by a subnational entity which declares itself independent and sovereign WITHOUT a formal agreement with the state from which it is seceding.
The term was first used when Rhodesia declared independence in 1965 from the United Kingdom (UK) without an agreement with the UK.
From the description above, the Western part of the geographical area Nigeria was commonly referred to as Yoruba Kingdom or Yoruba Country or at the very least Yoruba Land before the amalgamation of different ethnic nationalities in the geographical area, which are separated by two major rivers (river Niger and Benue).
Map of Yoruba Country before the british colonial’s divide and conquer agenda.
As a result, the Indigenous People of Yoruba NEEDED NOT to consult or enter into any form of agreement or negotiation with the Nigerian government before we could declare our sovereignty.
Because from time immemorial, even with the amalgamation still in place, there is NO document binding the Yoruba sovereignty power to Nigeria or other individual ethnic nationalities, nor the colonial master who took the decision to amalgamate the people for their economic gains.
In short, the amalgamation of Yoruba with Nigeria was on the basis of economic interest and not on the basis to form a new entity that should stand as one nation till the end of time.
Therefore, at any point in time, we could have declared ourselves out of the country with the provision of UDI, which is agreed upon by the global community of nations as an option for countries which are different in culture, religion, heritage and most especially LANGUAGE to separate and stand as a new nation.
Many countries have used the UDI process to stand as a sovereign nation and a member of the United Nations.
The Role of UN
The purpose of the United Nation is to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.
Therefore, it is outside of the primary and secondary role of the UN to represent an indigenous people to declare her nation on behalf of the indigenous people. In fact, the UN has no right to force a referendum on any country without an agreement by the members of the different national groups, and a formal invitation to do so.
It is not the responsibility of the UN to tell you who you are, rather your responsibility is to identify yourself, your rights and where you have been deprived of it, and stand by it.
If by standing by your right, other people attempt to tread upon it, It is in the interest of the UN to intervene, not to completely take your side, but to encourage global peace.
Part of these rights as individuals is the right to self determination, which you must stand by it, hold on to and proclaim.
This is what our Mother, Omo-Alade Modupeola Onitiri-Abiola has done on behalf of the Yoruba.
Right to Self Determination as Contained in the UN Charter
Article 3 of the right to self determination of indigenous people states that:
“Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right THEY freely determine THEIR political status and freely pursue THEIR economic, social and cultural development.”
This article 3 DID NOT state that Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination and by virtue of that right the UN WILL freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development on their BEHALF.
Waiting on the UN to help declare your sovereignty to the world is like waiting for ice to fall in the desert during the dry season.
The State of Democratic Republic of the Yoruba And where the UN Comes Into Play
The UDI of 20th Nov. 2024 led to the restoration of the sovereign power of the Yoruba Nation, Yoruba Country, or Yoruba kingdom on the 12th April, 2024.
As at this day, the Yoruba have 100% right to their territory and to govern over the people. But the country where we exited has continued to encroach on the territory forcefully, thereby calling for war, which is against international law.
The Democratic Republic of the Yoruba has all of the rights to go into confrontation with Nigeria, however, in every situation, there is a peaceful way of resolution if patience is put into play. This is what we the entire Yoruba has done – for the peace we are known for from the creation of earth; all thanks to MOA’s unmatchable intelligence.
For peace to reign among two Nations is the primary purpose of the UN. And the situation on the ground now is a matter of global peace and this is where the UN comes in fully – solving international problems and not declaring a nation on behalf of any ethnic nationality trapped in a country.
Nigeria and Yoruba (the Democratic Republic of the Yoruba), are two different entities and there are diplomatic moves to ensure that we peacefully pull out to begin to enjoy the benefits of being a Yoruba.
To further enlighten ourselves, there are some major steps we took between UDI and Proclamation of our Sovereignty power kindly read more here.
Yoruba has gained Sovereignty and it is irreversible!
