The leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, Professor Banji Akintoye, has stated that he is in Republic of Benin to support embattled agitator, Sunday Igboho, and not on the run as alleged.
The Yoruba leader made the disclosure in a statement titled, ‘I am in Republic of Benin with Sunday Igboho, not on the run – Akintoye,’ according to The PUNCH.
Akintoye’s statement on Sunday comes in reaction to media reports suggesting that he fled Nigeria about three months ago to avoid being attested by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) regime.
According to the 86-year-old professor of history, he didn’t run away from Nigeria but had been in the Benin Republic to ensure the release of Igboho.
The ex-Senate member in the Second Republic noted that just like Ighoho, he has committed no offence against Nigerian laws to warrant being arrested, intimidated or harassed.
He said, “Myself, the President-General and Professor Wale Adeniran (Chairman) of Ilana Omo Oodua, are currently in the Republic of Benin as reported, but not on the run.
“We are here to supervise and coordinate, by all legal and other means, the struggle for the release of our son and patriot, Sunday Adeyemo, detained by the government.
“By demanding peaceful self-determination for the Yoruba Nation, I am not breaking any law, since self-determination is recognised by the International and Nigerian laws to be an inalienable right of every nationality, large or small, in the world.
“I have earned a solid reputation as a highly respectable advocate of a peaceful self-determination struggle. I have even written a book on the subject which is already being used as a manual by Yoruba self-determination advocates and organisations.
“Irrespective of what the Nigerian Government may be planning against me, I want to say without any fear or intimidation that I will be returning to Nigeria immediately Ighoho is released from custody. I can’t be intimidated because I’ve not committed any offence, just like Sunday Igboho.”
