Yoruba’s foremost monarch, the Ooni of Ife, has stated that consultations were ongoing to drum support for Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho), who is currently standing trial in Benin Republic.
The Ooni noted that “efforts of solidarity and support” were ongoing for Igboho, noting that everything could not be said in the public space.
Moses Olafare, the spokesperson of the Ooni of Ife, stated this in a statement, adding that it was unreasonable to believe that the Yoruba traditional rulers did not show support for the agitation.
He maintained that the fact that they were making silent efforts should not be misinterpreted for inaction.
Olafare said, “The Ooni of Ife has been making some efforts of solidarity and support for Sunday Igboho. You cannot be making solidarity for someone you have not supported.
“The fact that at the council of obas has not met to discuss that issue, does not mean the regional obas are not communicating among themselves on the way forward on this issue. It is not compulsory to make public whatever the efforts are.
“The royal fathers should not be expected to be making public their efforts at a critical time like this. It would be unreasonable to think that the Alaafin (of Oyo) and Alake (of Egbaland) are not doing anything. They must be making efforts on the issue as well but they necessarily do not need to make them public.”
Sunday Igboho was awaits his fate at the Cour De’Appal De Cotonou, Benin Republic, following his arraignment by the authorities of the country.
Igboho has been in police detention since, although his wife and medical team now have access to him.