The individual behind a recent inflammatory comment online calling for Jihad in Yorubaland, which caused concern within the Yoruba community, has been identified as Moferewa Bashorun, known as Bashorun Mo on X.
SaharaReporters reported on Saturday that an online discussion had sparked worry within the Yoruba community after an Okun man from Kogi State, who identifies more with his Fulani heritage, made alarming remarks directed at the Yoruba people.
During a recorded X Space discussion titled “No Space for Hate Mongering in Nigeria,” the individual, now identified as Moferewa Bashorun (Bashorun Mo), stated, “It’s time for Jihad conversation to start” in Yorubaland.
His anger stems from the objections of many southwesterners and pan-Yoruba groups to the establishment of Sharia courts or panels in the region. Meanwhile, SaharaReporters learned that he was a protocol officer for then-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai during his first term but currently works in the Kaduna civil service.
“He is also a close friend of Bello El-Rufai, former Governor El-Rufai’s son,” a source told SaharaReporters.
Bashorun Mo’s statement on the X Space was filled with threats and intimidation, specifically targeting Yoruba conservatives. He claimed that the rights of Muslims to practise Islam are under threat due to the Yoruba people’s rejection of the implementation of Sharia law in the South West region.
He said, “When you now have a particular tribe, and I keep saying it, Yoruba tribe fell so horribly. I don’t know where we got it wrong but I am ashamed that I even have traces of Yoruba heritage. When I look at what has happened in the last few hours or few months since the ISP (Independent Sharia Panel) conversation took off.”
“This is where Jihad conversation comes about. For those of you bastards that don’t know the meaning of Jihad, record the conversation, I want to repeat it again. This is now the time that Jihad conversation should be taking place. Your right to practise your religion is being threatened. That is why you are admonished, that is the only thing you should fight,” he said.
“You can fight when people are threatening you from practising your religion; that is what is happening now. Your right to practise your religion peacefully is now being threatened. They don’t want you to exercise your right to practise your religion. That is when Jihad conversation should come about. That is why we should even be discussing it; what is Jihad all about?”
He said he felt sorry for Muslims in Southwest Nigeria, claiming that their plight is not different from that of Palestinians in Gaza amid Israeli occupation.
His profile on X states that he shares former Governor El-Rufai’s values.
“That which is done for Allah lasts forever. #Okun #Fulani. @elrufai values are my values. Rokanmi’s Father. Si vis pacem, para bellum/Primus inter pares,” his profile on micro-blogging site reads.
Responding to the controversial X space audio shared by Yemisi (@Yemo247) on X, Bashorun Mo asserted that nothing could be done about his inflammatory comment.
“Kini iyalaya ati babanlaku baba e ma se? (What will your forebears do?)
“Yemisi aka iya abiku, stop embarrassing yourself, you’ve exposed yourself too much already and everybody knows what you truly represents. Again, I said it, what will your father and mother do about it?”
In another tweet in response to another post, he said, “Is this the best you Yoruba nation terrorists bastards of thousand useless fathers could do? I am disappointed.. Eyin omo alainieran gbogbo. Sango lo ma pa yin! (You children without heritage. Sango will kill you?)”
On Sunday, Bashorun Mo stated that he could get away with anything he says and does.
In another post on his X account shared with a video, he said, “Ati Iwo ati mayegun ati gbogbo yin ni Yoruba nation cocoon yen, aye gbogbo yin mabaje ni. Ema sofo danu bi omi efo! Nkan ti awa ba so Abi se, ase gbe ni. Iyalaya ati babanlaku baba yin ole se anything (You, Mayegun and others in Yoruba Nation, your lives will be damaged. You will experience calamity. Whatever we say, we will get away with it. Whatever we do stands. Your forebears cannot do anything).”
Meanwhile, his recent comments have generated reactions on X.
For instance, Vncnt Ai… (@iamvia1), wrote, “Who’s the imbecile behind that voice?
“The same idiot will call for the lynch of whoever tries to practice isese in his okun land like it’s not indeginous than the Islam that ate up his brain.
“Someone from kogi talking anyhow about yoruba? Nawa o.
Also, Mololu (@baba_Irede) tweeted, “Look at the thing that wants to fight jihad talking like imbecile.”
PROF GANUCCI BLACKKING (Primus interpares) @ERINFOLAMI2024 wrote: “You said they don’t have a face but you also said state governors are giving ears to them. Don’t you think you are contradicting yourself? We dey tell una say the Conservatives will control the Politics of things in Yorubaland very soon. You think say na joke?”
Y @Yemo247 said, “Funniest thg I heard was I was the one that sponsored the post…it is really funny…If not for Batool that tagged me…I won’t have seen the post on Sahara Reporters.
“So this tape is spreading and He believes am the one sponsoring it…So pple were also on the space and heard Him as well…thank God I don’t know who Mayegun is…that big platform He was craving for on the space today…He will soon get it at the rate this tape is been circulated.”