Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader better known as Sunday Igboho, says his family is worried over the cause he has been fighting.
In the past weeks, Igboho has been in the news for asking herders, mostly of Fulani extraction, to leave some parts in Oyo and Ogun.
Igboho had accused the herders of kidnapping and killing indigenes of the communities, and also destroying their farmlands.
In January, one of his houses in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, was gutted by fire by those “opposed to his fighting,” but in an interview with PUNCH on Sunday, Igboho said no human being can kill him and he will not be distracted.
“I am not afraid of anything or anyone but God. God is the owner and controller of every soul. It is only God who can kill me. No human being can kill me, so I cannot be afraid of any mortal,” he said.
“My children challenge and persuade me to quit every day. They wave the caution sign to me every time. My wife is also very worried about the cause that I fight but I have to do this for the liberation of my people, anyway. But I am equally worried for my people who are being dehumanised and oppressed in their own territory for no just reason. Those who should address the issue just fold their arms and watch because they are compromised. This struggle is for the good of all so that when I am gone they would not live in subjection.”
Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, had kicked against the quit notice Igboho had given the Fulanis in Ibarapa local government area of Oyo, but Igboho said he can work in harmony with the governor in as much as “he recognises the fact that we have the fundamental right to secure our people and to protect their interest.”
There have been concerns since Igboho issued the threat, but he said the problem is with those in between them and the government as they are creating undue tension.
“We are sure that the governor is able to feel the pulse of the people who are feeling the heat from the killer herdsmen and we believe that he would rise up to the occasion and do the needful,” he said.
“If they call me for a meeting to discuss the burning issue of security to end the impunity by the killer herders, I shall gladly oblige. I am ready for any genuine approach to stopping the herders’ madness against our parents, brothers and sisters in Yorubaland. Why should our people, harmless for that matter, be going through all the horrible experiences without getting justice? And everybody folds their arms, looking on as if nothing is wrong.”
He called on Yoruba people to be united and stop playing politics with the lives of the people.
He said royal fathers, politicians, the youth and the elders should speak with one voice, and there should not be any discord in Yorubaland.
He said Yoruba leaders should remember “that the first Oyo Empire was mowed down by this same set of people. The second Oyo Empire at Igboho Oyo was equally destroyed by the same people. This time, our people must be protected by all Yoruba people.”
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