YPDC Clarifies Decision To Urge Police, DSS Halt Unauthorized Yewa Students’ Convention

BY ABU-SATAR HAMED (reporting from Manchester, UK)

ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Yewa People Development Council (YPDC) has shed light on its decision to intervene in a proposed unauthorized convention by a faction of the National Association of Yewa Students (NAYES) scheduled for Friday, December 27, 2024, in Ebute Igbooro-Yewa, Ogun State.

In an exclusive interview with StarTrend Int’l magazine and online platform, YPDC Secretary-General Pastor Bamidele Obafemi Akinola explained that the council acted swiftly to prevent potential chaos that could disrupt peace and stability in Yewaland.

Pastor Akinola noted that the YPDC convened a Consultative Meeting on Thursday, December 26, 2024, in Ilaro and that notable figures such as Prof. Rahaman Adisa Bello, Chairman of the Governing Council (TGC), and Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (Rtd.), Chairman of the Yewaland Security Assessment Committee (YESAC), resulted in a unanimous resolution to inform the Police and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) of the unauthorized event.

The council expressed concerns that allowing the factional gathering could create division, disrupt the established order, and pose a threat to security in the community.

The YPDC emphasized that NAYES recently held a legitimate convention on December 23, 2024, culminating in the inauguration of its new executive council led by Comrade Tella Faruq Abayomi.

This election, held at the YPDC Secretariat in Ilaro-Yewa under the supervision of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, was deemed valid and binding.

Akinola noted that YPDC key points at the meeting were:

1. NAYES is part of the YPDC’s Youth Leadership Nurturing Programme and operates under its guidance.
2. The elections conducted at the YPDC Secretariat were legitimate and supervised, ensuring transparency.
3. The newly inaugurated executive body is the only recognized leadership of NAYES for the 2024/2025 tenure.

The YPDC reiterated its dedication to fostering unity and stability in Yewaland. It urged all stakeholders to support peace and refrain from actions that could jeopardize the harmony within the Yewa student community.

This proactive move, backed by prominent leaders and the Paramount Ruler, underscores the council’s unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity and cohesion of Yewaland.