July 30, (THEWILL) – Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, has debunked claims of his opposition to the planned nationwide protests against economic hardship scheduled for August 1st.
The planned demonstration has been scheduled to be held across all states of the Federation, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Reports on Tuesday said Igboho was opposed to the protests. However, in a statement issued through his spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, described the reports as “false” and “propaganda,” which is intended to discredit Igboho’s commitment to Yoruba self-determination and discourage public participation in the protests.
Koiki emphasised that Igboho’s position remains unchanged: “He supports the quest for Yoruba freedom.”
He also referred to a letter sent to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on April 17, 2024, which called for negotiations regarding the Yoruba’s peaceful exit from Nigeria.
The letter, also signed by Prof. AdeBanji Akintoye, leader of the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement (YSDM), and Ola Ademola, requested that President Tinubu establish a negotiation team within two months. The request was set to expire on June 13, 2024.
“On July 25, 2024, Igboho visited Oba Benjamin Olanite, the Onimeko of Imeko in Ogun State. During this visit, Igboho reiterated his advocacy for a sovereign Yoruba nation and thanked the monarch for his role in securing Igboho’s release from detention in the Benin Republic.
“Igboho underscored that his focus remains on Yoruba self-determination and that he and Prof. Akintoye are not involved in organising or supporting the upcoming protests. Igboho noted that while he supports Nigerians’ right to protest against the country’s economic challenges, including inflation and poverty, his efforts are directed toward achieving Yoruba independence under international self-determination principles.
“He urged media outlets to avoid spreading misinformation about his stance and to respect the right of Nigerians to protest if they choose to.
“Dr Chief Sunday revealed that another letter would be sent to President Tinubu and international bodies to advance negotiations for the Yoruba’s exit from Nigeria”, the statement read in part.
It added that “the current economic crisis in Nigeria, marked by soaring inflation and a plummeting national currency, has led to widespread hardship. Despite recent increases in the minimum wage to N70,000 ($43) per month, the impact of inflation and currency devaluation has left many Nigerians struggling.
“The crisis is largely attributed to President Bola Tinubu’s policies, including the partial removal of fuel subsidies and currency floating, which have driven up prices.
“As Nigeria faces these challenges, some regions are preparing for protests to address the economic situation. However, leaders and residents of the southeastern region, home to the Igbo ethnic group, have stated they will not participate in the protests.
“In January 2012, President Bola Tinubu and several current government officials mobilised Nigerians in a protest known as “Occupy Nigeria” to oppose former President Goodluck Jonathan’s plan to remove fuel subsidy. The protest, which gained widespread support, exerted significant pressure on Jonathan’s administration, ultimately leading to the suspension of the subsidy removal plan.
“The planned protests have ignited debate on social media, with criticisms directed at those who previously supported similar protests against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s subsidy removal but now oppose the same actions under Tinubu’s administration.
“Igboho remains focused on advocating for the rights and self-determination of the Yoruba people amidst the broader national turmoil.”
