The Yoruba Alliance Forum has warned Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to stop using his supporters to attack Yoruba elders who have sacrificed their lives for the unity and progress of the race.
It issued the warning in a statement by its Chairman, Chief Onitolo-Ariyo Adejare, and Secretary, Adedeji Oluwaseun.
YAF’s reaction came in response to the various social media attacks by supporters of the Yoruba nation activist against prominent Yoruba Obas and chiefs as well as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams.
YAF also urged Igboho to define the course of his struggle, adding that the Yoruba remains one of the well-coordinated and most organised races in the world.
The group said: “We have been monitoring Igboho’s recent actions and statements in the last few days, especially since his return to Nigeria for the burial of his late mother and we are concerned that he was yet to learn his lessons.
“The first, among his various inciting statements was the social media video when he visited the palace of his homestead and told the Oba that during the administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, some Yoruba figures protested, but during the Buhari’s eight-year administration, they didn’t protest or raise their voices against Buhari; and that he was the only activist that criticized Buhari. Though, we noticed that one of his aides interjected by mentioning Iba Gani Adams’ name.
“He also said he would go to any of the southwest states to fight the raging spate of insecurity in the south west without getting approval from any of the governors.
“It is his right to fight against the security scourge, however, it must be done in a very articulate and well coordinated manner.
“We also noticed that apart from the self-acclaimed historian, Laji Abass, that has been trying to distort history of Aare Onakakanfo that had been in existence since 1530 and also trying to attack the personality of Iba Gani Adams since the beginning of this year, with different online shows targeted at soiling the name of the Yoruba generalissimo.
“We noticed with keen interest that some politicians are behind his evil attack on the personality of Iba Gani Adams.
“One of Igboho’s supporters that anchored online shows titled Oodua TV said Iba Gani Adams allegedly named Igboho as one of the killers of the late former Attorney General,Chief Bola Ige in 2002, without any concrete evidence.
“With this unverified accusation, the online presenter should be asked to produce the evidence, either a video or audio that linked Iba Gani Adams to that deadly accusation.
“This is not the best way to fight a cause. If he is truly interested in fighting for the cause of Yoruba nation (based on what he said in the video at the palace) he should do it in a civilized way. Not that he would be paying bloggers to attack those that have contributed greatly to the progress of our race.
“In every struggle, the leader defines the vision and the followers would key into it without looking back. But on the other hand, when a leader is not that coordinated, he will lose the trend and scuttle the process.
“Before Igboho returned to Nigeria, there was peace and all Yoruba groups and organizations and even our eminent personalities had one strong voice and they are strong in their struggle for the best. We knew our main enemies were those that are from outside and not within.
“So, now that he is here with us, he should be warned and cautioned not to overheat the serene and peaceful ambience of the Yoruba race.
“At this point of our history in Yoruba land, we want peace, we want unity and we want to be part of that legacy of progress that has been laid down for our young, new generation.”
YAF said the group monitored Igboho when he supported the unwarranted media attacks Saidi Shittu had against prominent Islamic clerics in Yorubaland, adding that the encounter almost led to religious crisis in Yorubaland.
The statement added: “We remember Igboho’s infamous role with the Agbekoyas when he raised the hands of one of them as the leader of the organization.
“This led to the genesis of the factional crisis that broke the organization into six groups. The police intervened and it was the beginning of the crisis resulting to the break-up.
“The Yoruba One Voice a diaspora organization of Yoruba sons and daughters abroad had a taste of his trick when he deceived them with the October 1, 2021 rally. But for the courage of the leaders of the organization, Igboho almost scuttled the international rally.
“All these are some of his actions and statements that are capable of disorganizing formidable groups both in Yoruba land and in the diaspora.
“In our long years of history,Yoruba is always organized. They are very coordinated and very sophisticated as a race. Once they are ready for a cause, they embark on the journey without looking back.
“So, we appeal to Igboho to warn his supporters against making any uncomplimentary utterances that can cause crisis in Yoruba land.”
The YAF also appealed to Aareonakakanfo Adams and members of the Oodua People’s Congress not to forget the sacrifices of the past 30 years in the struggle.
The statement said: “The OPC and the South West Security Stakeholders Group should look beyond the pettiness of a few set of people and continue their struggle for the sake of the Yoruba and that of our ancestors.
“Yoruba needs to be united for us to fight our enemies from the outside, and for us to retain our pride of place among the comity of all races in the world.”
