Olugbon Rallies Support for Sunday Igboho, Seeks Presidential Clemency
The Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, has thrown his royal weight behind embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, urging the Federal Government to grant him clemency and remove his name from the list of wanted persons.
Speaking during Igboho’s visit to his palace in Oyo State, the highly respected monarch described the activist as a patriotic son of Yorubaland who stood up against insecurity and violent herders when the region was most vulnerable.
“Sunday Igboho is not a criminal. He deserves mercy, not condemnation,” Oba Alao declared. “I appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to forgive him and allow him to return home permanently. Enough of his stay abroad. Let him come back and let his actions be guided by the law.”
The monarch revealed plans to formally write both the Federal Government and the South-West Governors’ Forum within 48 hours, seeking a full pardon for Igboho. He also expressed his intention to reach out to other key traditional rulers in Yorubaland, including the Alaafin of Oyo, to amplify the call for clemency.
Oba Alao believes Igboho’s return would help strengthen grassroots security efforts across the region, noting that his experience remains a valuable asset in the face of ongoing threats.
Igboho, visibly moved by the royal support, expressed deep gratitude to the monarch and his wife, Olori Olusola Alao, for standing by him during his legal battles abroad.
“Baba was one of the few monarchs who voluntarily signed the documents that led to my release,” Igboho said. “When I needed to bury my mother, he used his influence to make sure I could return home. I will never forget his love and support.”
He also used the opportunity to appeal to President Tinubu to delist him as a wanted person and to focus national efforts on strengthening the security of Yorubaland.
The Olugbon’s endorsement of Sunday Igboho is already generating renewed interest in the activist’s situation and has sparked broader conversations about the role of traditional rulers in shaping peace and security strategies in the South-West.
