Marxist Yoruba Republic agitator, Laoye Sanda, is dead
By Bisi Abidokun
Comrade Laoye Sanda, a covert advocate of Oodua Republic is dead.
Comrade Sanda was a Marxist-Leninist who devoted the later part of his career to the advancement of the struggle for Oodua Republic.
He and the late Comrades Ola Oni, Baba Oluwide Omojola were Marxists who sough revolutionary changes in Nigeria but in later life chose Yoruba Republic as their most preferred alternatives.
Sanda was involved in providing ideological training to many young members of Pan Yoruba groups.
He is one of the socialists who believed that Yoruba Nation without class struggle and ideological content would be futile.
Sanda had a tough career having been sacked from Ibadan Polytechnic as a lecturer by the former military Head of State who later became Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
Sanda was one of the tutors that stood with students in 1978 during the “Ali Must Go” riots
The socialist died on Thursday.
He was also a member of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN).
A statement signed by Abiodun Bamigboye (Acting National Chairperson) and Bosah Chinedu (National Secretary) and made available to Irohinoodua confirmed his demise.
“He was among the academics sacked by Olusegun Obasanjo military government because of their support for the students’ uprising tagged ‘Ali Must go’ in 1978.
“Until his death, he was a close collaborator of the SPN. He supported the SPN in its many struggles against various anti-poor capitalist policies and for the socialist transformation of the Nigeria,” the party said.
But unknown to many, Comrade Sanda was also active in Oodua Liberation Movement, OLM and Apapo Omo Oodua a coalition of several Pan Yoruba groups. Sanda was also involved in Apapo Oodua Koya, (AOKOYA).
“He was a revolutionary to the core. He never wanted to be known. He operated quietly but left amazing and remarkable milestones in the struggle for Oodua Republic” Alao Akinjobi a member of Oodua Nationalist Coalition, ONAC told Irohinoodua on Monday.