By DAYO ADESULU
There was jubilation across parts of the South-West and within the global Yoruba community on Wednesday following reports that the Federal Government has officially lifted the wanted tag placed on prominent Yoruba nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The development, widely described by supporters as a historic relief, effectively restores Igboho’s freedom of movement and ends years of legal and diplomatic uncertainty that followed his 2021 declaration as a wanted person by Nigerian security agencies.
Although the Federal Government has yet to issue a detailed public statement outlining the full legal framework behind the decision, multiple sources close to the matter confirmed that the ban was quietly removed, allowing Igboho to live freely without fear of arrest or extradition.
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Sunday Igboho Regains Freedom After Years of Legal Uncertainty
For many of his followers, the news that Sunday Igboho regains freedom marked the end of a long and emotionally charged chapter. Igboho had been at the centre of national and international attention following his arrest in the Republic of Benin in July 2021, after Nigeria declared him wanted over alleged arms-related offences.
He spent several months in detention in Cotonou before being released on bail under strict conditions. Since then, his movement had remained restricted, while his supporters consistently called for dialogue rather than continued confrontation.
On Wednesday, however, celebratory messages flooded social media platforms as confirmation emerged that the wanted designation had been formally lifted.
“Nothing is as sweet as freedom,” one supporter wrote, echoing a sentiment shared widely among Yoruba sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora.
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Presidential Pardon Linked to Tinubu–Olubadan Engagement
According to credible sources, the breakthrough came through high-level intervention involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr.) Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi Ladoja.
The respected monarch reportedly paid a private visit to President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa two days before the announcement. Insiders familiar with the meeting disclosed that the monarch appealed for reconciliation, stressing the need for unity, peace, and healing in Yorubaland.
Following the engagement, President Tinubu is said to have approved the lifting of the wanted tag on Igboho, effectively granting him a presidential pardon.
While official confirmation from the Presidency is still awaited, the convergence of reports from multiple quarters has strengthened public confidence in the authenticity of the development.
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Celebrations Across Yorubaland and the Diaspora
As news spread that Sunday Igboho regains freedom, congratulations poured in from traditional leaders, activists, youth groups, and ordinary citizens who view him as a symbol of resistance and self-determination.
Across Ibadan, Oyo, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, and parts of Kwara, supporters described the moment as a “victory for dialogue over force.” In diaspora communities across Europe, North America, and parts of Africa, Yoruba groups also held prayer sessions and online celebrations.
Many praised the Tinubu administration for choosing a political solution rather than prolonged legal confrontation.
“This is not just about one man,” a community leader in Ibadan said. “It is about restoring hope that grievances can be resolved through engagement and respect for traditional institutions.”
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Praise for Oba Ladoja’s Role
Special commendation has been reserved for Oba Abdulrasheed Ladoja, whose role in facilitating the reconciliation has been widely acknowledged.
Supporters described the monarch as a “lover of freedom for all” and applauded his statesmanship in handling a delicate national issue with wisdom and restraint.
Messages of goodwill have also poured in for the Olubadan, with prayers offered for long life, continued strength, and a peaceful reign on the throne of his forefathers.
“Kabiyesi has once again shown that traditional rulers remain critical pillars of peace and mediation in Nigeria,” another supporter noted.
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What This Means for National Unity
Analysts say the decision to lift the ban on Igboho could signal a broader shift in the Federal Government’s approach to agitational movements, especially those rooted in ethnic and regional grievances.
Rather than escalating tensions, the move is seen as an opportunity to reopen conversations around security, marginalisation, and coexistence—issues that originally propelled Igboho into the national spotlight.
For now, Igboho’s supporters are urging him to channel his renewed freedom into peaceful advocacy and service to humanity, particularly within Yorubaland.
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A New Chapter Begins
As celebrations continue, one message rings clear across social and traditional media: freedom remains priceless.
For Chief Sunday Igboho Adeyemo, the lifting of the wanted tag represents not just personal relief, but a symbolic victory for those who believe dialogue, cultural respect, and political engagement offer a better path forward for Nigeria.
Whether this development will translate into lasting peace remains to be seen. However, for many, today marks the dawn of a new chapter—one defined not by pursuit or exile, but by reconciliation and renewed hope.
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