Why I relocated to Benin Republic- Akintoye

The leader of Ilana Omo Oodua, a Yoruba self-determination group, Prof. Banji Akintoye, has said he is not intimidated by the reported plot of the Federal Government to arrest him.

Akintoye, who stated this in a statement signed by his Communications Manager, Maxwell Adeleye, on Sunday, said he didn’t run away from Nigeria as reported by some section of the media.

Some media had reported over the weekend that the 86-year-old professor of history left Nigeria about three months ago when he uncovered plot by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to arrest him.

In the statement, Akintoye said he didn’t run away from Nigeria but had been in Benin Republic to ensure the release of Igboho.

Akintoye said just like Ighoho, he has committed no offense against Nigerian laws to warrant being arrested, intimidated or harassed.

“Myself, the President-General and Professor Wale Adeniran (Chairman) of Ilana Omo Oodua, are currently in the Republic of Benin as reported, but not on the run.

“We are here to supervise and coordinate, by all legal and other means, the struggle for the release of our son and patriot, Sunday Adeyemo, detained by the government.

“By demanding peaceful self-determination for the Yoruba Nation, I am not breaking any law, since self-determination is recognised by the International and Nigerian laws to be an inalienable right of every nationality, large or small, in the world.

“I have earned a solid reputation as a highly respectable advocate of a peaceful self-determination struggle. I have even written a book on the subject which is already being used as a manual by Yoruba self-determination advocates and organisations.

“Irrespective of what the Nigerian Government may be planning against me, I want to say without any fear or intimidation that I will be returning to Nigeria immediately Ighoho is released from the custody. I can’t be intimidated because I’ve not committed any offense, just like Sunday Igboho,” he said.