Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology to Yoruba nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho over the 2021 raid on his Ibadan residence.
He described the invasion as unlawful and a violation of Igboho’s rights.
Soyinka made the remarks in a video shared by Igboho’s media team where he condemned the joint operation carried out by security operatives of the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army at Igboho’s Soka home in Ibadan Oyo State. “The government should stop pursuing this person as a criminal because you have already acted in a criminal fashion against him” he stated.
The raid which took place on July 1 2021 during the previous administration led to the death of two of Igboho’s aides while 13 others were arrested. Soyinka noted that the act was unjustifiable and cautioned the government against further harassment of the activist. He added that the government’s approach from the beginning was flawed and should be corrected.
Soyinka further suggested that if Igboho were to face trial the government would be embarrassed by the outcome. “They should simply say we made a mistake we should not have acted this way you are no longer wanted go back to your home and in fact escort him quietly to resume his normal life” he said.
The Nobel Laureate clarified that his comments were not in support of secession but rather on the unfair treatment meted out to Igboho. He stressed that Igboho’s actions were focused on protecting his people from attacks and insisting on their constitutional rights. According to him Igboho’s advocacy should not have been criminalised.
Soyinka concluded that the declaration of Igboho as a wanted man was unnecessary and mishandled. He said the activist only went underground to protect himself following the raid and should not be treated as a fugitive. He urged the current administration to address the issue honourably and restore fairness.
