I’m In Benin for Igboho, Not FG Plot to Criminalize Me, Akintoye

• Akintoye, who is a member of the Nigerian Senator in the Second Republic, said “just like Igboho”, he has not committed any offence against the Nigerian laws to warrant him being arrested, intimidated, or harassed.

Prof. Banji Akintoye, the leader of the umbrella body of the Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, has reacted to the media report that he has run out of the country to escape the plot of the Nigerian Government to criminalize him.

The Emeritus Professor of History confirmed to journalists that he is in the Republic of Benin, but “not on the run.”

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Akintoye said he is in the Francophone country to coordinate and supervise how to “legally rescue” the detained Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, from the government remand as soon as possible.

Akintoye, who was a member of the Nigerian Senate in the Second Republic, said “just like Igboho”, he has not committed any offence against the Nigerian laws to warrant him being arrested, intimidated, or harassed.

Professor Akintoye vowed to return to Nigeria as soon as Igboho is released by the government of the Republic of Benin to continue the struggle for the actualization of Yoruba Nation, stating that “it is no retreat, no surrender.”

“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 Igboho, detained by the Government from custody.

“By demanding peaceful self-determination for the Yoruba Nation, I am not breaking any law, since self-determination is recognized 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 respected 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 organizations.

“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 offense, just like Sunday Igboho.

“Let me tell all Yoruba People across the world that there’s no cause for alarm. I didn’t flee anywhere. I am in Benin Republic running your errands. The struggle is no retreat, no surrender,” the Yoruba Nation arrowhead said in a statement by his Communications Manager, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye.