For too long, the narrative of the Yoruba people has been confined within borders drawn by foreign hands. But history, culture, and the inalienable right to self-determination cannot be permanently suppressed. Today, we stand at the precipice of a new era. The Democratic Republic of the Yoruba (D.R.Y.) is not a future aspiration, a mere political proposal, or a distant dream. It is an existing, recognized sovereign nation, operating under the steadfast leadership of our Provisional President, His Excellency Prof. Mobolaji Olawale Akinola Omokore.

As we prepare for the historic One Million Yoruba Freedom March, it is imperative that every Indigenous Yoruba, at home and in the global diaspora, understands the profound historical reality of our nationhood, the legal milestones we have already achieved, and the critical purpose of this upcoming mobilization.

The Undeniable Reality: A Civilization Restored as a Sovereign Nation

The foundation of the Democratic Republic of the Yoruba is not built on a sudden political whim; it is built upon the unshakeable pillars of an ancient, continuous civilization. We are a nation because we possess a distinct history, a unified language, a rich culture, and a defined ancestral homeland. Our sovereignty is the natural culmination of thousands of years of nation-building:

• The Dawn of Civilization (C. 500 BC – 1000 AD): Our story begins in Ile-Ife, the spiritual source of creation, kingship, and civilization. From the depths of the Ifa corpus to our groundbreaking urban planning and world-renowned bronze and terracotta artistry, the Yoruba people established a sophisticated society millennia ago.
• The Rise of the Kingdoms (11th – 14th Century): Our civilization expanded through the flourishing of great city-states, including Ijebu, Ondo, Ekiti, Ijesa, Egba, Owo, and Akure, each contributing to the rich tapestry of our governance and commerce.
• The Glory of the Oyo Empire (14th – 18th Century): We reached the zenith of regional power through the Oyo Empire. With its advanced cavalry, formidable military strength, and highly sophisticated administrative system—led by the Alaafin, the Oyo Mesi, and the Aare Ona Kakanfo—we dictated the terms of diplomacy and trade across West Africa.
• Resistance and Resilience (19th Century – 1960): Even during the era of colonial occupation, the Yoruba people maintained their cultural resilience and intellectual leadership, preserving our identity against foreign administrative control.
• The Golden Era of Regional Governance (1950s – 1980s): We proved our capacity for modern statecraft during the era of the Western Region. Through massive investments in free education, groundbreaking infrastructure, and public welfare, we demonstrated that when Yoruba people govern themselves, they build societies that lead the continent.

When subsequent political restructuring dismantled the Western Region, the Yoruba people did not lose their nationhood; we merely awaited the right moment to restore it. That moment has arrived.

Under international law and the principles of self-determination, statehood is a declaratory fact. We do not ask for permission to exist; we assert our right to govern. This right was formally and legally actualized on November 20, 2022, when the Democratic Republic of the Yoruba was officially declared. This monumental step was solidified on April 12, 2024, when the Provisional Government and our public institutional direction were officially inaugurated under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Prof. Mobolaji Olawale Akinola Omokore.

The Democratic Republic of the Yoruba is already a recognized country in the eyes of the law, in the eyes of history, and most importantly, in the eyes of our people.

The 1 Million Yoruba Freedom March: A Peaceful Reclamation of Our Capital

While our nation exists in law, history, and spirit, the next critical phase of our national development requires the physical reclamation of our administrative spaces. This is the primary, non-negotiable objective of the upcoming One Million Yoruba Freedom March.

This march is not a mere protest; it is a peaceful, organized, and resolute reclamation of our sovereign territory. Our objective is clear: we are marching to take over our land, to occupy our national secretariat, and to resume our duties fully as the governing body of the Democratic Republic of the Yoruba.

For decades, the administrative centers of our ancestral homeland have been used to govern us as a subordinate region. The 1 Million Freedom March will peacefully transition these spaces from centers of subjugation into the rightful headquarters of our sovereign Republic. We will march to the secretariat not with weapons of violence, but with the undeniable, overwhelming force of our collective will, our legal rights, and our civic duty. We are going to work. We are taking back the steering wheel of our own destiny.

Why Every Indigenous Yoruba Must Be Ready

The success of this historic reclamation depends entirely on the unity, readiness, and courage of the Indigenous Yoruba people. This is not a task for a select few; it is the generational duty of every son and daughter of Oduduwa. Here is why every Indigenous Yoruba must be ready for the 1 Million Freedom March:

• The Power of Numbers: A million voices cannot be ignored. When one million Yoruba people stand together in peaceful, unified resolve, it sends an unmistakable message to the world that our demand for self-governance is absolute.
• A Duty to Our Ancestors and Our Children: We are the bridge between the great empires of our past—from Ile-Ife to the Oyo Empire—and the sovereign republic of our future. If we do not take this step, we fail our ancestors who built a glorious civilization, and we cheat our children of the inheritance of a free, self-governing nation.
• The Transition from Provisional to Full Operation: A government cannot function in a vacuum. To transition from a Provisional Government to a fully functioning Republic on the ground, we must physically occupy our administrative spaces. Your presence at the march is the physical manifestation of the Republic’s authority.
• Global Solidarity: For the Yoruba diaspora, your readiness takes a different but equally vital form. You must be ready to mobilize resources, amplify our message on the global stage, and provide the logistical and financial backbone required to sustain the Republic as we take over our secretariat.

Resuming Full Duties: The Dawn of Self-Governance

Once the secretariat is peacefully reclaimed and occupied, the true work of the Republic begins in earnest. The Provisional Government, under His Excellency Prof. Mobolaji Olawale Akinola Omokore, will immediately commence the resumption of full executive, legislative, and administrative duties.

We will begin the process of establishing our ministries, implementing policies rooted in Yoruba values of progress, accountability, and communal development, and laying the groundwork for our economic and technological renaissance. We will govern our people with the dignity, transparency, and efficiency that the Yoruba race is globally renowned for, recapturing the developmental heights we achieved during the golden era of the Western Region.

The Time is Now

The Democratic Republic of the Yoruba is already a reality. Our history proves our identity, our declaration on November 20, 2022, proves our legal standing, and the inauguration of April 12, 2024, proves our organizational readiness. The 1 Million Yoruba Freedom March is the catalyst that will bridge the gap between our legal sovereignty and our physical reality.

We call upon every Indigenous Yoruba to prepare mentally, spiritually, and physically for this watershed moment. Stand with His Excellency Prof. Mobolaji Olawale Akinola Omokore. Stand with your brothers and sisters. March with us to reclaim our secretariat, resume our duties fully, and take our rightful place among the sovereign nations of the world.

The future of the Yoruba is in our hands. Let us march forward, together, in peace, in power, and in absolute unity.

One People. One Voice. One Destiny.

---

For more information on how to register for the One Million Yoruba Freedom March and to support the Provisional Government, please visit our official registration portal and contact the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs.