I’m in Benin Republic, not on the run-Prof Akintoye
Promise return to Nigeria after Ighoho gets freedom
By Samuel Ogunsona
Pan Yoruba leader, Prof Banji Akintoye has confirmed he is currently in Benin Republic, but not running away from Nigeria.
Professor Akintoye’s statenent released on Sunday confirmed the exclusive story of Irohinoodua three weeks ago that the self determination proponent had left the country unknown to many people.
In his statement on Sunday made available to Irohinoodua Akintoye confirmed that he is truly in the Republic of Benin, but not on the run, as widely being suggested.
The Communications Manager, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, who signed the statement quoted Akintoye as saying that he is in the Francophone country to coordinate and supervise how to legally rescue the detained Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo.
Akintoye, a Senator in the Second Republic, said just like Ighoho, he has committed no offense against the Nigerian Laws to warrant being arrested, intimidated or harassed.
Akintoye said he would return to Nigeria as soon as Ighoho is released by the government of Benin Republic to continue the struggle for the actualisation of Yoruba Nation, saying “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 and other means, the struggle for the release of our son and patriot, Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, detained by the Government from custody,” Akintoye said
He said “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.
Akintoye said he has earned a solid reputation as a highly respectable 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 the 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 to anywhere. I am in Benin Republic running your errands. The struggle is no retreat, no surrender.
The renowned scholar also debunked the media reports stating that Igboho has been abandoned.
He said “socio-cultural and self-determination groups within and beyond the shores of Nigeria under my supervision paid for every dime spent in Cotonou, Lagos and Abuja respectively till date on the court cases.”
He said further “the only court case not under my co-ordination and supervision, and which the Yoruba socio-cultural and self-determination Groups are not paying for is the one in Ibadan High Court, Oyo State.
He said the Lawyer handling the Ibadan case, Chief Yomi Aliyu, SAN, said he should be left to handle the case and that others should not bother about the funding, but that the Yoruba Groups and Patriots under Akintoye’s supervision are completely responsible for the funding of the court cases in Abuja, Lagos and Cotonou.