The Agbekoya Farmers Society of Nigeria on Thursday staged a peaceful rally in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, to demand the immediate release of self-styled leader of Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, from Benin Republic prison.
The Farmers vowed to use magical powers to free Igboho if the Benin Republic authorities failed to release him from prison.
The rally which was attended by members of Agbekoya across the Southwest states had members bearing banners with inscriptions such as, “free Sunday Igboho”, Southwest governors should rise and save Yorubaland from invasion of bandits, kidnappers, ritualists, rapists, Bandits now have colony within our country” among others.
The protesters converged on Olaitan from where they move through Odi-Olowo, Asubiaro, Isale-Osun, Idi-Omo to Ataoja, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun’s palace, where they submitted a letter to the royal father on their demands from the president.
Speaking during a peaceful rally on Thursday, the association’s President, Chief Kamorudeen Okikiola said igboho is not a criminal, but a freedom fighter who is being held illegally through the influence of Nigerian government on Benin Republic.
Okikiola said: “Sunday Igboho is not a criminal and we know he is being held illegally, Benin Republic Government has stopped taking him to court.
“Hence, we demand that he should be released through legal means. If they refuse, we will use our magical power to get him out of the prison.
“I repeat, we Agbekoya, will get him out of Benin Republic detention and bring him back home.”
On the Nigeria socio-economic situation, Okikiola called for a reversal to the 1960 constitution or restructure the country before the 2023 general elections, adding that without such step the country will not progress, irrespective of who is elected as president.
“It is pertinent that we revert to the 1960 constitution and the different regions will have the privilege of enjoying good governance without having to struggle for presidency.
“And if that will be difficult, we should restructure the country inorder to enjoy adequate security of lives and property.
“The FG may decide to hold the election without listening to the yearnings of Nigerians on restructuring, but we are of the view that whoever is elected would not achieve anything under the present constitutional arrangement.
“It is also pertinent to add that politicians should stop taking Nigerians for granted, because the consequences, with time, will be too enormous for the country to remain together again,” he said.
He decried the spate of insecurity across the country, warning of the grave consequences of politicians taking the masses for granted.
Okikiola also advocated for constitutional role for traditional rulers, as a means to check insecurity within the rural areas.
Kokomansion recalls that igboho was arrested alongside his wife in Cotonou, Benin Republic, by security operatives on July 19 after fleeing Nigeria to evade arrest by Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS).
