Igboho: Yoruba nation youths laud traditional rulers role over his return

2026-02-17 - 17:26

—urge sustained leadership By Dayo Johnson Akure The Yoruba Nation Youths have lauded Yoruba traditional rulers across Yorubaland for their principled intervention in the events that culminated in the return and exoneration of Chief Sunday Adeyemi Igboho. In a statement addressed to all Yoruba Obas and traditional rulers, the youth group expressed profound appreciation for the monarchs’ moral authority and cultural leadership during what it termed a defining moment in the history of the Yoruba people. The statement, which was jointly signed by Prophet Ayodele Ologunloluwa, Yoruba Nation Youths Leader in Diaspora, and Oluwamayowa Omotoyole Oyegunle, Home Land Youth Leader, noted that the involvement of the traditional institution sent a powerful message about the enduring relevance of Yoruba kingship. Chief Sunday Adeyemi Igboho, a prominent figure in the Yoruba self-determination movement, had faced legal and political challenges abroad before his eventual return, a development that sparked reactions across the South-West and among diaspora communities. According to the youths, the intervention of the Obas underscored the centrality of traditional institutions in defending Yoruba dignity, justice and collective identity. They said that “at a critical juncture, the monarchs reaffirmed that Yoruba kingship remains a living institution rooted in courage, truth and responsibility to the people. The group stressed that the actions of the royal fathers demonstrated that ancestral leadership structures still serve as a protective shield for the Yoruba nation in times of uncertainty and struggle. Describing the moment as historic, they said the episode reinforced confidence in the moral weight and cultural legitimacy of the traditional institution in contemporary governance discourse. They reminded the monarchs of the sacred mandate entrusted to them by forebears to safeguard the Yoruba homeland and ensure the security and prosperity of their people. The statement emphasised that cultural integrity, social stability and communal protection must remain paramount in the priorities of traditional leadership. It added that the Yoruba people look beyond ceremonial functions and expect decisive moral guidance from their rulers in matters affecting the future of the land. As self-described energy and conscience of the nation, the youths reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful, lawful and determined pursuit of Yoruba self-determination. They called for strengthened collaboration between the younger generation and the custodians of tradition, noting that intergenerational cooperation would be crucial in shaping the future of Oodua land. The group maintained that the wisdom, influence and institutional authority of the Obas are indispensable in mobilising collective aspirations. It further urged sustained engagement and dialogue among stakeholders to address concerns relating to security and socio-economic development in the region. The youths called for unity of purpose among all Yoruba people, irrespective of political or ideological leanings, in the pursuit of shared objectives. Highlighting what it termed a historic crossroads, the youths said the present moment demands fearless guardianship of heritage and strategic planning for the future. They expressed confidence that with traditional rulers as custodians of culture and youths as drivers of tomorrow, the Yoruba nation could chart a secure and prosperous path. The youths reiterated their resolve to work within lawful frameworks while advocating for what they described as the collective aspirations of their people. They affirmed that the Yoruba nation would move forward united, resolute and committed to the protection and advancement of its homeland.