Yoruba group disowns Tinubu mobilisation notice

The Yoruba Community in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory has distanced itself from an alleged mobilisation notice circulating among youths in Northern Nigeria in support of President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition, describing the document as unauthorised and misleading.

In a public notice signed on Saturday by its President-General, Afiz Adigun, the organisation warned members of the public against individuals falsely claiming to act on its behalf, insisting that any political directive issued outside its recognised structures should be disregarded.

Adigun explained that the community had already taken an official position on the 2027 presidential election after a congress attended by elders and representatives from across the northern states and the FCT.

 According to him, the congress unanimously adopted President Tinubu as its preferred candidate for a second term.

He said the decision led to the creation of the Yoruba Northern Network for Tinubu, a political platform established to coordinate support activities and mobilisation efforts for the President across the 19 northern states and Abuja.

The President-General disclosed to Arewa PidomNigeria that the Deputy President of the Yoruba Community in the 19 Northern States, Hon. James Olorunfemi, serves as the National Coordinator of YONNET, while presidents of the community in each northern state act as state coordinators under the network.

The group expressed concern over what it described as attempts by unauthorised individuals to issue directives and mobilise Yoruba youths in the name of the community, particularly through notices circulated on social media and other platforms.

It specifically dissociated itself from reports and directives relating to gatherings in Kaduna and other activities that were not sanctioned by YONNET or the leadership of the Yoruba Community.

“We dissociate ourselves from any memo or directive that did not originate from YONNET or this office,” the statement said, urging members to disregard such communications.

The organisation called on members, stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress and the general public to verify all political information through its official channels to avoid falling victim to misinformation and impersonation.

It also advised individuals and groups interested in coordinating support activities for President Tinubu’s second-term bid in Northern Nigeria to work directly with YONNET or the National Secretariat of the Yoruba Community.

While reaffirming its support for President Tinubu and the APC, the group stressed the importance of discipline, proper coordination and respect for established structures in all political engagements.

The leadership further urged members to remain vigilant and cautious of unauthorised announcements being circulated online, warning that only communications issued through recognised channels should be regarded as authentic.