The Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Saturday received Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, at the Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife, where he openly pardoned him and offered royal forgiveness.
The visit, which electrified the ancient city, was witnessed by prominent Yoruba monarchs, traditional chiefs and a large crowd of supporters.
Igboho, who was visibly emotional, prostarted before the Ooni, declaring that he had come to tender an unreserved apology for his past remarks against the Ooni.
He admitted that his words had been harsh, but stressed that he had learnt his lessons.
“I thank God for my life and for this opportunity. I never thought Kabiyesi would honour me this way. I have offended the Ooni and I am here to seek forgiveness. Whoever I have offended should also forgive me. A person may abuse a monarch behind him, but no one dares to insult a king to his face. Kabiyesi, please forgive me,” Igboho said.
Igboho revealed that while he was imprisoned in Benin Republic, he was surprised to learn that the Ooni had played a pivotal role in securing his release despite his earlier criticisms.
He further appealed to the monarch to use his influence to ensure his name is removed from the security watchlist and to facilitate the unfreezing of his bank accounts.
“I beg you to help remove my name from the wanted list and to assist in unfreezing my bank accounts. My priority is the security of Yorubaland. Our people are being killed and I want to use my strength to defend them. I need your support to make this possible,” he pleaded.
In their remarks, the Attah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Abdulmumini Orisagbemi, and the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Olabomi, commended Igboho for showing humility.
They assured him that Yoruba monarchs had forgiven him and expressed confidence that the Ooni would intervene in addressing his challenges.
In his royal response, the Ooni declared that he had forgiven the activist, describing him as a “brilliant and courageous son of Yorubaland” whose struggles were not for personal gain but for the collective good of the Yoruba people.
“One thing I know is that patience and humility always prevail. Many insulted me when matters got tough, but I kept smiling because I understood. I met privately with former President Muhammadu Buhari several times about your case. I thank God you are alive today,” Ooni said.
The monarch assured Igboho that efforts would be made to address his demands, promising that the issues of his wanted status and frozen accounts would be resolved.
“You are my son and I am not angry with you. You are a pride to the Yoruba race. Some said I should not receive you in Ife, but I told them you are fighting for our people. All matters will be settled. Let us put aside division and unite as one Yoruba family,” Ooni added.
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