Amidst rising tension resulting from the arrest of a Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Wednesday announced the setting up a 28-member committee made up of prominent South-West individuals.
The committee, according to its coordinator, Mr. Akin Osuntokun, would look into the issues around the agitator’s arrest and related others.
He said the meeting, scheduled to hold over a month, merely coincided with Igboho’s arrest in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Igboho was arrested Tuesday having been declared wanted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for alleged stockpiling of arms.
Clarifying on the committee’s assignment, Osuntokun said: “The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, inaugurated an advisory council comprising eminent Yoruba sons and daughters across the political spectrum. It is called the Ooni Caucus.
“The inauguration ceremony had been scheduled over a month ago and it is just an accident that it coincided with reports of Sunday Igboho’s arrest in Cotonou.
“Nonetheless the council is actively interested in the new development and would appropriately respond in the nearest future.”
Osuntokun listed the committee members to include Deputy Chairman Oyo State Traditional Council and Olugbon of Igbon Oba Olusola Alao; Senator Biodun Olujimi, Mrs Toyin Saraki, Mr Segun Awolowo, Prince Doyin Okupe, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Prince Oye Oyewumi, Mr Muyiwa Ige and General Olu Okunnowo.
Meanwhile, supporters of the embattled Yoruba agitator Wednesday hit the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, to protest their leader’s detention by Beninese authorities.
The protesters, according to reports, gathered in front of Igboho’s residence in the Sooka area from where they stormed the streets around 12 noon.
They were heard singing the Yoruba nation anthem and chanting “Igboho Oosa”, “Free Igboho now now”.
They also wielded various placards asking for the prompt release of Igboho. “I stand with Chief Sunday Igboho”; “Sunday Igboho is not a criminal”; “Yoruba wake up” and “Sunday Igboho is fighting for our freedom”
There was a blockade of some portion of the road, thus causing some momentary gridlock along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.