The Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW) has urged Nigerians to view the nation’s long-running violence as a shared tragedy affecting all citizens, not as religious persecution directed solely at Christians.
At a press briefing at the Ooni of Ife’s palace on Monday, YCW president Oladotun Hassan condemned what he described as “unending waves of terrorism and senseless killings” that have claimed thousands of lives regardless of faith.
“These atrocities are not attacks on Christians alone but acts of terror that have victimised Muslims, Christians and others alike,” he said, calling for swift prosecution of all those behind the violence.
Hassan appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to mediate a high-level dialogue with President Bola Tinubu on security and economic reforms.
The group further accused several petroleum sector unions—PENGASSAN, NUPENG, IPMAN and DAPPMAN—of colluding with oil import cartels and regulatory officials to sabotage the Dangote Refinery through policy interference.
Praising Dangote’s ₦2 trillion investment in 10,000 fuel trucks for nationwide distribution, YCW described the move as a “patriotic demonstration of confidence in Nigeria’s economy.”
It proposed the creation of a National Crude Supply Synergy Scheme to ensure domestic refineries receive consistent crude oil supplies, and urged government protection for local investors through import restrictions on refined products.
To mobilise public support, YCW announced a solidarity rally for 12 November at JJT Park, Alausa, Lagos, where participants will wear white and denim to symbolise peace, unity and patriotism.
