A coalition of over 100 South-West groups, under the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movement (AYDM), has threatened to withdraw the region from Nigeria if a military coup takes place. This warning comes in response to increasing calls for military intervention in Nigeria, following the contentious 2023 presidential election, which resulted in Bola Tinubu’s victory.
The coalition described the advocacy for a military coup as alarming and unjustified, emphasizing that such an event could push the South-West toward secession. AYDM expressed its disappointment with those promoting the idea of a coup, arguing that the solution to Nigeria’s ongoing social conflicts lies in ethnic self-determination rather than violence or dictatorship.
In a communiqué issued after the Pan-Yoruba-Itsekiri Global Summit, themed “Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria: The Role of Non-state Actors,” the coalition highlighted the historical challenges faced by the Yoruba people, asserting that their potential has been hindered since the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria. The groups also made it clear that any attempt to impose military rule in the Oduduwa territories would be met with fierce resistance, potentially even armed struggle.
AYDM criticized those advocating for military rule as being motivated by narrow, ethnic interests. The statement condemned these groups for their silence during the previous administration’s tenure and their sudden push for military intervention now that power has shifted. The coalition warned against any attempts to overturn the democratic progress made in Nigeria, declaring that the South-West would not tolerate a return to dictatorship.