ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, has publicly declared his support for Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, endorsing the president’s re-election bid and controversially suggesting the possibility of a third term after the completion of a second tenure..

Igboho made the remarks in a video currently circulating widely on social media platform, where he was seen campaigning for Tinubu while issuing a warning to opposition figures, including former Vice President and former Anambra State governor , to stay away from the South-West region.

The video has generated intense reactions across Nigeria’s political space, especially given Igboho’s history as a fierce critic of the federal government and his past confrontation with authorities during the administration of former President .

In the viral clip, Igboho spoke passionately about his support for Tinubu, calling on people in the South-West to rally behind the president’s re-election bid.

He went further by suggesting that Tinubu should continue in power beyond the constitutionally permitted two terms, a statement that has sparked widespread discussion about its political and legal implications.

According to him, the region must remain firmly behind the current administration.

“Tinubu for second term. Don’t bring any other candidate. And when he finishes the second term, we will attempt a third term and more. Don’t bring your stupid Peter Obi and Atiku to the South-West,” Igboho said in the video.

Nigeria’s constitution currently allows a president to serve only two four-year terms, making the suggestion of a third term constitutionally impossible without significant amendments. Nevertheless, Igboho’s comments appear to reflect his strong backing for Tinubu’s continued leadership.

Igboho’s comments also included a warning directed at prominent opposition figures, particularly Atiku and Obi, both of whom contested against Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

He insisted that the South-West geopolitical zone, comprising Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states, should remain politically aligned with Tinubu.

While Igboho has no formal political office, his influence among some segments of the Yoruba nationalist movement has historically made his statements politically significant.

In a separate statement, Igboho expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for allegedly facilitating his return to Nigeria after a prolonged period outside the country.

The Yoruba Nation activist described the president’s intervention as an act of mercy and magnanimity, noting that the decision followed appeals by stakeholders within the Yoruba traditional institution.

“I deeply appreciate the mercy and magnanimity of our revered President Bola Tinubu, who graciously granted me freedom to return to Nigeria after intervention by stakeholders in the traditional institution,” Igboho said.

He added that he intends to use his renewed freedom to support efforts aimed at addressing security challenges in Nigeria, particularly in the South-West.

“While I will not take this opportunity and freedom for granted, I am ready to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling the ravaging insecurity and support measures aimed at enhancing peace and socioeconomic growth in the country, especially in the South-West,” he said.

Igboho also used the opportunity to address critics who have questioned his recent alliance with Tinubu and the ruling party.

The activist claimed that some individuals who oppose his support for the president are doing so for personal gain, alleging that they have been exploiting his name for fundraising while he remained outside the country.

“It will not be well with anyone who says I should not support President Tinubu,” he said. “They want me to remain in exile while they keep using my name to raise money for themselves.”

His remarks appear to be directed at factions within the Yoruba self-determination movement who have publicly criticized his apparent shift in political alignment.

Igboho’s latest comments mark a notable shift from his earlier stance toward Tinubu and the Nigerian government.

During the height of the Yoruba Nation agitation between 2020 and 2021, Igboho frequently criticized political leaders, including Tinubu, over issues such as insecurity and governance in the South-West.

At the time, he became widely known for organizing rallies and issuing strong statements demanding greater autonomy for the Yoruba people.

The situation escalated in 2021 when security agencies declared him wanted during the Buhari administration following a raid on his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The development forced Igboho into exile, where he remained for a prolonged period while facing legal and political challenges.

His recent statements acknowledging Tinubu’s forgiveness and support suggest a dramatic shift in his relationship with the political establishment.

“I insulted and criticized him heavily in the past,” Igboho admitted, referring to Tinubu. “But he forgave me and restored my dignity.”

Igboho’s endorsement of Tinubu has not been universally welcomed among supporters of the Yoruba Nation movement.

Some activists and groups within the agitation have accused him of abandoning the cause of Yoruba self-determination and aligning with the federal government.

Reports indicate that critics have described his new stance as a betrayal of the movement’s original goals.

Several commentators within the secessionist community have labeled him a “traitor” and a “disgrace” to the agitation, arguing that supporting the ruling government contradicts the demands for an independent Yoruba nation.

Despite the criticism, Igboho appears unfazed, maintaining that his decision is based on what he believes is in the best interest of the region.

Political analysts say Igboho’s endorsement of Tinubu could have symbolic significance ahead of the next election cycle.

Although he is not a conventional political actor, his influence among certain grassroots supporters in the South-West means his statements could resonate with sections of the population.

However, many observers also caution that his call for a third term for Tinubu is unlikely to gain traction given the clear constitutional limits on presidential tenure in Nigeria.

For now, the viral video has added a new dimension to Nigeria’s already evolving political landscape, highlighting how former agitators and critics can sometimes become allies of the very governments they once opposed.

As reactions continue to pour in, Igboho’s latest pronouncement underscores the complex interplay between activism, politics and regional identity in Nigeria’s democratic journey.