From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday said he has accepted the apology tendered by O’odua rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho.
In a statement released by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s palace, Mr Moses Olafare, confirmed that Igboho has been forgiven.
“Ooni has forgiven him as he had tendered an apology via a video clip he produced via social media yesterday evening.” Olafare said.
Olafare added that, “before tendering the apology, it was the Olugbon of Ile-igbon that first called and informed Arole Oodua, on the phone that he had scolded Sunday (Igboho) on phone as regards his misdeeds and that, he would soon tender an apology to him on the matter. Sunday Igboho later released a video in which he tendered the apology.
“Even though the way and manner, Sunday behaved was sacrilege to the Oduduwa throne but he has already apologised and I can confirm that Arole Oodua have forgiven him, because there is no perfection in humanity. Sunday is a human being like a normal human being who could misbehave as well”.
“As the father of all, the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II remains his father who had even identified with him in the past two weeks he has begun with the struggle and he is still solidly behind him for the liberation of the Yorubas from criminal herdsmen who have adamantly terrorised our land.” Olafare said.
Similarly, the Yourba Elders under the aegis of Yoruba World Assembly (YWA) at a meeting converged in Ibadan, Oyo State condemned Igboho for his outburst and appealed to Ooni of Ife on his behalf.
Speaking on behalf of the elders at the event, the National Coordinator of the local hunters in Yorubaland, Chief Adewole Samuel Olumo said the leadership of the body tendered the apology on behalf of Sunday Igboho for his attitude and utterances to the Ooni of Ife.
He said, I’m pleading to Ooni of Ife over Igboho’s misdeeds, we are all aware that what he has done is not right in every sense of it, and that is why we are making use of this opportunity to tender our apologies to our highly referred father to please forgive Sunday Igboho over all his misdeeds.
“I’m not pleading on my capacity, but with the support of all the elders present here, so our Ooni who is the spiritual leader of our race should please take it easy and forgive Sunday Igboho. Olumo stressed.
Also, in his remarks, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye lll, begged Ooni of Ife to forgive Sunday Igboho. He noted that Ooni is the supreme leader for the entire sons and daughters of the Yoruba nation which no individual or group of person can just talk to anyhow.
Recall that Sunday Igboho had on Wednesday In the video, Igboho was quoted saying, “the monarchs are now afraid but we must keep praying for them to be united with one voice. They should not be afraid of arrest at their age. Some of them don’t even grant audience at their palaces any longer. So, everything is now in God’s hands.
He added further “when Ooni met with Buhari over the herdsmen issue, Ooni should have told Buhari the truth but he did not. When Ooni returned, he started tackling me to leave the remaining task to the government to finish. You can imagine that kind of talk?
“Ooni disappointed himself. Some politicians are behind Ooni’s latest move. He invited me to his palace but I refused to go. I would have gone if he had represented us well but he did not. I won’t honour any monarch who does not cooperate with me. Enough is enough, the Fulani have done enough,” He said
