South-West Govs quiet four days after Igboho's arrest in Cotonou

Four days after the arrest and planned extradition of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, in Cotonou, Benin Republic, the six governors in the South-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria have kept mum over the matter.

The governors are Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

Efforts to get the comments of Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of South-West Governors' Forum, proved abortive as the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, neither took several calls to his line nor replied a text message sent to his line by our correspondent.

However, a top source in the South-West told our correspondent that Igboho threw caution into the winds and shunned many wise counsels offered him before his ordeal.

"It is understandable if the governors don't want to make any public statement on the matter. Nobody wants to identify with Igboho, the governors don't support his struggle as they are convinced of one strong, indissoluble Nigeria. Igboho was called to order many times in the secret but he came out in public to abuse the governors, monarchs and other elder statesmen in the South-West."

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Cour De'appal De Cotonou, on Thursday, ordered the release of Igboho's wife, Ropo, while the activist was returned to police cell.

Igboho, who was arrested at Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou on Monday night, is being tried for immigration-related offences.

Recall that the Department of State Services raided Igboho's residence in the Soka area of Ibadan at 1am on July 1, 2021, arrested at least 12 of his associates and killed two others during the bloody raid. The secret police later declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms but the activist denied the allegation.

He went underground thereafter but was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport on Monday night at the behest of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Igboho would appear in court next week when the court resumes sitting.