- How South-West Monarchs Brokered Igboho’s Return From Exile
- Sunday Igboho fled Nigeria on July 1, 2021
- Afenifere lamented the worsening security situation
Arrangements have been concluded for the return of Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to Nigeria after about four years in self-imposed exile, his spokesperson, Olayomi Koiki, has revealed.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Koiki disclosed that Igboho’s planned return followed sustained interventions by prominent traditional rulers in the South-West, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, among others.
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According to the statement, the activist has received clearance from the Presidency and is expected to be fully reintegrated upon his return. Koiki added that Igboho could return to the country at any moment.
Sunday Igboho fled Nigeria on July 1, 2021, after operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), alongside Nigerian Army personnel, raided his residence in Ibadan over allegations of illegal arms possession. The operation reportedly led to the death of three of his aides, while 13 others were arrested.
The statement further revealed that during a visit to the Olugbon of Orile Igbon’s palace in 2025, Igboho openly expressed frustration over his prolonged stay in exile and appealed to the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to remove his name from the wanted list.
Igboho was declared wanted during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, a move that reportedly resulted in the freezing of his bank accounts and restrictions on his access to a Nigerian passport, despite court judgments said to be in his favour.
Meanwhile, pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has accused powerful interests within the country of sabotaging government efforts to tackle insecurity.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, Afenifere said banditry, kidnapping, corruption and territorial expansion persist because influential individuals entrusted with implementing reforms are actively undermining them.
According to the group, similar sabotage has hindered progress across critical sectors such as electricity, education, agriculture, the economy and now national security.
Afenifere lamented the worsening security situation, noting that violent crimes initially concentrated in the North-East and North-West have now spread to other parts of the country, including the South-West, which was once regarded as relatively safe.
“People now prioritise safety before livelihood,” the statement said, stressing that fear and insecurity have deepened hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
The group reiterated its call for decisive and sincere action by authorities, warning that without confronting internal sabotage and corruption, efforts to restore peace and stability would remain ineffective.
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