Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, has sought the assistance of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over his inability to access his accounts.
He urged the monarch to plead on his behalf with President Bola Tinubu for him to be removed from the Federal Government wanted list.
Igboho was declared wanted in July 2021 by the Department of State Services for allegedly stockpiling arms and ammunition.
Speaking during his visit to the Ooni at Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife on Saturday, Igboho, who was accompanied by a large number of friends and associates, apologised for his past verbal attacks against Oba Ogunwusi.
“I want you to forgive and forget whatever wrong I have done to you. You are my father and you can’t do away with me. I know you have forgiven me going by this warm reception accorded us.
“I am here to further seek your help as you have been doing before. I am still on the Federal Government wanted list, and I want you to help me clear my name from the wanted persons’ list.
“Also, my account is frozen and I want you to assist me with that also. I want the embargo placed on my account to be lifted, and I know you are the one who can do it for me.
“When I visited the Olowo of Owo, the monarch asked if I had seen the Ooni, and I told him no. The monarch told me to come and see you as you are the overall authority,” Igboho said in Yoruba language.
Commenting on the security situation in the South-West, the activist restated his readiness to flush out criminals hiding in forests in the region.
He added, “You organised a summit recently. I was in Germany then, but I joined virtually. During the event, you honoured me. After the programme, I burst into tears because I was overwhelmed by emotions.
“I told the person beside me that this was the same Ooni that I once abused. At that moment, I knew you are Oodua’s reincarnate. I want you to keep working on the security issue in Yorubaland. The insecurity in the North and other parts of the country is creeping into Yorubaland.
“I want you to send us into the forest. We will flush out all those kidnappers. We have the capacity to protect our people. Oodua’s descendants are not slaves to the Fulani. As I always tell people, Ooni is the head of all monarchs in Nigeria.”
Responding, Oba Ogunwusi commended Igboho’s commitment to the Yoruba cause and declared that he had forgiven him for his past verbal attacks.
The royal father also promised to assist Igboho in lifting the restrictions on his movement after being put on the wanted list.
Ooni said, “Some of you have abused me in the past, but whenever I saw your posts, I just laughed them off. I know you are concerned but you can see the reason why I was preaching patience then.
“God has blessed Sunday Igboho a lot, and I thank God he didn’t die during his time of tribulation. I am not angry with you because I am the father of all. You are a brave man and our pride in Yorubaland and you will not die young.
“You wanted to come before now, but some of my people were against you coming to Ile-Ife, but I told them to leave you alone. You are from Ile-Ife and you are my child. The respect you earned here today is more than what money can quantify. What you are fighting for is not for you alone but for Yorubaland.
“We are going to ensure that your name is removed from the wanted list. Ile-Ife is the source of the universe, and no one wants peace and the development of Yorubaland more than I do. However, when you associate with those who don’t like you, you must look for a solution. Let’s do away with fighting, it will not bring any good development to Yorubaland. That is why I keep calm most of the time.”
