The National Patriots Rejects Commodore Olawunmi’s Separatist Prescription and Calls for Evidence, National Unity and Responsible Leadership
By Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR
The reported declaration by retired Naval Commodore Kunle Olawunmi that Yoruba people are finished whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wins or loses the 2027 presidential election is deeply troubling, unnecessarily alarmist and fundamentally inconsistent with the historical resilience of the Yoruba people.
How can the political fortunes of one individual, however influential, determine the survival or extinction of an entire ethnic nationality?
The Yoruba people existed long before President Tinubu entered politics, and they will continue to flourish long after his presidency.
The Yoruba nation has produced distinguished statesmen, intellectuals, military officers, industrialists, traditional rulers, professionals and nationalists whose contributions helped shape modern Nigeria. Our collective destiny cannot be reduced to the outcome of one presidential election.
Commodore Olawunmi is entitled to criticise President Tinubu. Freedom of expression is a constitutional right. However, his military background and diplomatic experience impose an even greater responsibility to distinguish established facts from allegations, political dissatisfaction from national catastrophe, and legitimate grievances from separatist agitation.
His allegations that President Tinubu has surrendered Nigeria’s mineral resources to the United States and allowed France to take over the country’s taxation system are extremely serious.
Where are the agreements? What mineral concessions were transferred? Which constitutional or statutory powers were surrendered? What evidence establishes foreign control of Nigeria’s taxation system?
International cooperation, investment agreements and technical partnerships do not automatically constitute the surrender of national sovereignty. If specific agreements compromise Nigeria’s interests, they should be identified, examined and challenged through lawful constitutional and parliamentary processes.
The National Patriots would welcome credible documentary evidence supporting these allegations. Until such evidence is produced, Nigerians should resist conclusions capable of generating unnecessary public anxiety.
More disturbing is the suggestion that President Tinubu should facilitate the creation of a separate Yoruba nation as the only means of repairing the alleged damage.
Separatism is not a substitute for responsible governance, constitutional reform or political accountability.
Nigeria certainly faces challenges requiring urgent attention. Nevertheless, our response should be to strengthen institutions, improve security, demand equitable development, deepen federalism and ensure that every nationality enjoys dignity and opportunity within the federation.
The Yoruba people have historically played a central role in Nigeria’s constitutional development, democratic struggles, economic advancement and national integration. Their future cannot reasonably be portrayed as hopeless simply because one commentator disapproves of the incumbent President.
Furthermore, Commodore Olawunmi cannot presume to speak for the overwhelming majority of Yoruba people without evidence. Yoruba society contains diverse political opinions, and no individual possesses exclusive authority to define its collective interests.
Supporting President Tinubu does not make a Yoruba person a criminal or beneficiary of wrongdoing. Opposing him does not make anyone an enemy of the Yoruba people.
Political differences must never become instruments for ethnic intimidation.
The National Patriots also rejects the implication that President Tinubu’s re-election would represent the destruction of Yoruba interests.
His administration has undertaken significant economic and institutional reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, currency reforms, electricity-sector decentralisation, infrastructure investment and expanded fiscal allocations to states and local governments.
These policies deserve assessment based on implementation, measurable results and their effects on Nigerians—not predictions of ethnic extinction.
Equally, should President Tinubu lose an election conducted in accordance with the Constitution, Yoruba people would remain equal citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, entitled to every constitutional protection and opportunity.
A democratic election is not an ethnic survival referendum.
We therefore appeal to Commodore Olawunmi to reconsider the language of despair and collective condemnation.
Nigeria needs constructive criticism, not ethnic fatalism; credible evidence, not sweeping allegations; constitutional solutions, not separatist ultimatums.
President Tinubu should be judged by his policies, performance and leadership. The Yoruba people should be judged by neither his successes nor his shortcomings.
The Yoruba people are not finished. Nigeria is not finished. And our collective future is greater than the political fortunes of any individual.
That is the position of The National Patriots.
Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR
President, The National Patriots
