Posted by Professor Banji Akintoye, the leader of the Yoruba nation’s self-determination movement, Ilana Omo Oodua, stated on Saturday that President Bola Tinubu did not play a role in the recent release of the Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, from protective custody in the Republic of Benin. Adeyemo is also known as Sunday Igboho.
Igboho, who was released by the government of Benin, which was led by President Patrice Talon, the Sunday before last, had recognized the support and solidarity of certain famous Yoruba leaders during his ordeal in Cotonou, which lasted for more than two years. Igboho’s ordeal took place in the city of Cotonou.
However, while responding to a video that went viral on social media and was posted by an unknown Igbo militant leader, who allegedly claimed that Tinubu should ensure the release of the leader of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, just as he (Tinubu) facilitated the freedom of Igboho, Akintoye stated that “President Tinubu had no hands in Sunday Igboho’s freedom.”
In a statement that was sent to the Sunday Tribune, the leader of Ilana Omo Oodua argued that “this is imperative in order to correct the wrong impression in some quarters that President Bola Tinubu facilitated the freedom of Chief Sunday Adeyemo in Cotonou last week Sunday.” This was stated in the context of correcting the misconception that President Bola Tinubu helped free Chief Sunday Adeyemo.
Mr. Gani Alagbala, who serves as the spokesperson for Akintoye, put his signature on the statement.
According to the statement, “this is in response to the viral video of an Igbo militant leader, proclaiming that Nigeria President, Bola Tinubu should release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, just as he (President) has released Chief Sunday Igboho.” (This is in response to the viral video of an Igbo militant leader proclaiming that Nigeria President, Bola Tinubu should release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.)
“Although we will not fault our Igbo brothers, nor will we criticize them in any way for seeking freedom for the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu,”
“However, it is imperative that we correct the record. Our frontliner’s release and complete freedom has nothing to do with the authorities or administration of Nigeria, which are both currently under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president. Igboho Chief Sunday Adeyemo, also known as
“First and foremost, we give the credit to the Almighty God, then to the efforts of our leadership in this Yoruba nation struggle, which was supported by friends both at home and abroad who had good intentions.” This had been a laborious and challenging process, but we give credit to God for finally granting us success and allowing us to be free on a Sunday after all this time.
“We categorically reject any involvement on the part of any politician or official of the Nigerian government in any of these processes because, quite simply, there was none of that involvement.” In spite of the political demands that were placed on it, the government of the Republic of Benin did not prevent us from receiving justice in the end. For this, we would want to express our gratitude.
In closing, the statement said, “And we wish our Igbo brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a quicker release from the Nigerian incarceration.”