Sunday Igboho Visits Olubadan, Expresses Gratitude for Removal from Wanted List

Prominent Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, has paid a strategic courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. The visit, which occurred at the monarch’s private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, was primarily to express profound gratitude for the pivotal role the royal father played in securing Igboho's removal from the Federal Government's list of wanted persons. This development comes barely 24 hours after reports surfaced that the Nigerian authorities had officially delisted the activist, effectively granting him the freedom to move without the looming threat of arrest.

During the visit, Sunday Igboho recounted the tribulations of the past few years, specifically referencing his detention in the Benin Republic and the legal battles that followed the raid on his Ibadan residence by the Department of State Services (DSS) in July 2021. He described the Olubadan’s intervention as a beacon of hope during his darkest moments in custody. According to Igboho, the monarch’s consistent "fatherly support" and behind-the-scenes advocacy were instrumental in navigating the diplomatic and legal complexities that kept him in exile. He emphasized that the Olubadan’s reassuring stance gave him the psychological strength to endure his ordeal abroad.

In his response, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, welcomed the activist with warmth but used the occasion to counsel him on the virtues of restraint. The monarch, a seasoned statesman and former Governor of Oyo State, emphasized that "dialogue and patience remain the most effective tools for resolving disputes." He urged Igboho and his followers to prioritize the peace and stability of Yorubaland, noting that no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of chaos or confrontation with the state.

"Where there is life, there is hope. Every challenge comes with lessons, and wisdom lies in learning from them," Oba Ladoja remarked, advising the activist to view his recent experiences as a learning curve. The monarch’s words were seen as a subtle directive for Igboho to pivot from the confrontational agitation that characterized his earlier activities to a more diplomatic approach in advocating for the interests of the Yoruba people. He stressed that actions capable of threatening the harmony of the country should be avoided in favor of constructive engagement.

The visit signifies a potential thaw in the tension between the separatist agitators and the traditional establishment, as well as a new chapter for Igboho himself. His removal from the wanted list suggests a shift in the Federal Government’s approach, possibly facilitated by the quiet diplomacy of traditional rulers like Oba Ladoja. For Sunday Igboho, this public show of deference to the throne reinforces his respect for Yoruba cultural hierarchy, even as he navigates his reintegration into the socio-political fabric of Nigeria after years of legal limbo.

As news of the visit spreads, political observers are watching closely to see how this newfound freedom will influence the dynamics of the Yoruba self-determination groups. While the Olubadan’s counsel leans heavily towards peace, the reception of Igboho by such a high-ranking monarch validates his status as a significant, albeit controversial, figure in South-West regional politics. The meeting concluded with prayers for the continued peace of Ibadanland and the entire Yoruba race.