Paramount ruler of Iwo in Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to forgive the Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Igboho for agitating for the Yoruba nation.
The Osun monarch also asked the President to withdraw security operatives looking for Igboho, adding that he had warned him to handle the agitation movement carefully.
He also disclosed that he has forgiven the activist even though Igboho insulted him.
The traditional ruler cited the cases of the late politician and business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola and the late environmentalist and activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, who died in the course of fighting for the freedom of their people, as a lesson for Igboho and other agitations.
Oba Akanbi revealed this in a statement titled, ‘Igboho Saga: Oluwo Intervenes, Writes Buhari’ made available to SaharaReporters on Friday.
The statement reads:
“I extend my cool, warmest royal greetings to the number one citizen, President Muhammed Buhari. I have the hope your day is as the same as mine. As a Muslim, you are not unaware of the peculiarity of Friday, being one of the days for forgiveness.
“Nigerians most especially ardent readers and witnesses of history will not forget in haste many suspicious circumstances that consumed many nationalists. One of the leading and still fresh was the Egba born aristocrat, Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola who died on July 7th, 1998. Ken Saro Wiwa equally had his taste. Almost all regions of the Nigerian State have had their taste of such occurrence. The prologue and epilogue were historically preserved to be a lesson.
“But when a child is a slow learner, the parents will have to guide, guard and educate several times before a stable momentum. Silence of the parents at times may be translated to support but not necessarily. Not all children appreciate their parents at the point of moral discipline. Disciplinarians tell the truth to positively shape the children’s future. But when the child tells you your mouth is smelling, you stay back and observe.
“However, responsible a father will not throw his child away with the bathwater. I say this to let your Excellency understand the position of most Royal Fathers and stakeholders on agitation for the Yoruba nation. We warned him.
“However, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho earned his popularity as an activist whose joy is to liberate the cheated. He started as such and grew with it. His strategy is not known to me because I’m not in his camp. Whenever I’ve information about his move, I do call him to order.
“He visited my palace sometime in 2018. I give pieces of advice when sought. Instead of Igboho to distinctively differentiate between agitation towards government and inter groups activism, he failed. At a point, he abused stakeholders with spurious allegations. I was the first on the list for drumming support for one Nigeria.
“As a father, I’ve personally forgiven him. And I’m personally beseeching your Excellency as the number one citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to demonstrate your magnanimity by forgiven our promising son, Chief Adeyemo Sunday Igboho,” Akanbi said in the statement.
The monarch also stated that Igboho is a learner in handling issues pertaining to government, but added that he is a gift to the Yoruba people.
“He is a novice in handling issues against the government. He is a gift to us in Yoruba. He has pledged his readiness to listen to us. I appeal to your Excellency to slow down security trail on Sunday Igboho. I have the assurance adhering to this piece will go a long way in strengthening the unity of Nigeria. I promise your Excellency that Igboho will mind his steps henceforth. He has suffered a lot. He would step down agitations. I will bring him for a peace talk at an appropriate time.
“Liberal struggles are won on intelligentsia merit. Arsenals without strategy is a defeated battle. These and many more, I supposed he has learnt and ready to mend his way. Nigeria is an indivisible entity that cannot be torn overnight for whatever reason. Let’s forgive to move on and up. The strength is not only in diversity but also in forgiveness.
“In conclusion, we have seen the handwriting. When the government speaks different languages, the wise ruminates and take caution. I commend your efforts geared towards combating crimes, checkmating banditry and curtailing criminalities and your vigorous fight against corruption. Most importantly, your commitment to infrastructural growth is unequalled. One Nigeria, great future,” he added.
