Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has accused the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration of perpetuating the political persecution he endured under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In an audio message sent to SaharaReporters on Monday, Igboho’s spokesman, Olayemi Koiki, alleged that the Tinubu government has maintained a deliberate campaign of witch-hunting against the activist.
Allegations of Account Freezing and Continued Targeting
Koiki claimed that the federal government has refused to unfreeze Igboho’s bank accounts and lift restrictions on his companies, despite court rulings and his release from custody in the Republic of Benin.
“Till today, he is still on the wanted persons list,” Koiki said.
“We asked that his bank accounts be opened, and they refused; same for his companies. Sunday Igboho’s only offence was standing up against the injustice happening in Yorubaland.”
He lamented that while Igboho is treated with dignity internationally, the Nigerian government continues to label him a criminal in his homeland.
“When he travels around the world, he is not seen as a criminal but only in his home country,” Koiki added.
“Even when the court said he should be compensated, no one compensated him till date.”
Background: DSS Raid and Exile
Igboho’s ordeal with Nigerian authorities dates back to July 2021, when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) raided his Ibadan residence. The DSS accused him of stockpiling weapons, but Igboho evaded capture and was subsequently declared wanted.
After fleeing to the Republic of Benin, he was arrested and arraigned on charges of arms smuggling, inciting violence, and advocating for secession. He was released in March 2022 by the Beninese authorities.
Failed Government Negotiations Revealed
Prominent Yoruba historian Banji Akintoye also alleged that the Nigerian government, under Buhari, tried to bribe Igboho with billions of naira to abandon his agitation for Yoruba independence.
“The then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), visited him in detention with a document offering billions in exchange for renouncing the Yoruba Nation cause. He refused to sign,” Akintoye claimed.
In October 2022, Igboho reportedly wrote to now-UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging Britain to recognise the Yoruba self-determination movement.
Igboho Still in Exile
Despite his legal victory and release, Igboho has not returned to Nigeria, with supporters insisting he remains unjustly targeted by the state.
