Yoruba group, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has vowed never to stoop low to beg President Muhammadu Buhari to release Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, who is currently in prison custody in Benin Republic.
Yoruba group was reacting to calls by prominent Yoruba individuals and groups urging it to emulate Igbo leaders and approach President Buhari to plead for the release of Igboho.
But in a statement on Friday signed its General-Secretary, Sola Ebiseni, Afenifere said there was no basis to beg the President to release the Oduduwa Republic advocate as he had committed no crime.
“We do not have to beg the President to release Sunday Igboho. Sunday Igboho did not commit any offence whatsoever; that’s our position.
“Those who went to invade his house were terrorists in a Nigerian security uniform and they have no right whatsoever and that has been tested in a court of competent jurisdiction. Igboho has been absolved and the government was visited with N20bn worth of damages.
“In spite of the impunity of the Buhari government, we insist that Nigeria shall not be governed except by the rule of law,” the statement said.
What Olowu Of Iwo Land Said About Igboho Before This Statement By The Yoruba Group:
The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, had enjoined Yoruba monarchs, elders and stakeholders to take a walk to Buhari on appeal to him on Sunday Igboho’s release from jail.
Oba Akanbi in a statement released on Sunday 21st November 2021, on his official social media account, stated that the release of Sunday Igboho from detention will go a long way in strengthening the unity of Nigeria.
Oluwo appealed to Yoruba monarchs to “harmonize their interest towards the release of our son, Sunday Igboho.”
He premised his argument on the oneness of Nigeria and could be further cemented on the release of Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu.
The first-class monarch enjoined Buhari to honour Yoruba kings and stakeholders, saying such a cachet will convince Yorubas home and abroad to respect the unity of Nigeria.
Oluwo urged the federal government to effectively relate with the Benin Republic on the bilateral ground and ensure Igboho is safely returned to Nigeria without further trial. He said such action will encourage more patriots from Yoruba land.
A statement by Oluwo through his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, reads: ” The controversies surrounding the continuous detention of Sunday Igboho can be addressed should the Yoruba Monarchs, elders and stakeholders ready to take a walk to President Muhammed Buhari.
Sunday Igboho is our son, he has made some mistakes that are realizable on the agitation for Yoruba nation.
The approach is jeopardizing the intention. I urge stakeholders in Yoruba affairs to harmonize their interest, come together and approach the country’s leaders for the release of embattled Igboho”
“Granting such request will entrench the unity of Nigeria and foster a harmonious understanding. Only the federal government has the exclusive charisma to liberate the face of Yoruba nation agitator at this critical time. Our son must be rescued. Releasing Igboho without recourse to legal lingering litigation will earn the government credit. It is a credit of maturity and unity”
Oba Akanbi called on Nigerians to continuously exhibit love, maturity and loyalty capable of sustaining the unity of Nigeria.