Igboho warns Islamic group over call for arrest of Alaafin-elect

Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo who is popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has condemned calls by an Islamic group known as the Yoruba Muslims for Freedom (YMF), for the arrest of Alaafin of Oyo-designate, Akeem Owoade, for imposing a 21-day curfew in Oyo town in Oyo State, ahead of his coronation scheduled for April 5.

The revered monarch had on Friday, issued a statement imposing the 21-day curfew to coincide with traditional rites known as “Oro Ipebi,” beginning on Friday night and would conclude on Saturday, March 29.

The statement read:

“The Aláàfin of Oyo Kingdom hereby announces the commencement of ÒRÒ ÌPẸBÍ, the mandatory rites for His Imperial Majesty before his ascension to the revered throne of the Aláàfin.

“The rites will commence from Friday, 7th March, to Saturday, 29th March 2025. Throughout this period, a curfew shall be imposed, as is customary, from 8 PM to 6 AM daily across Oyo township.

“This means movement will not be permitted during the curfew, and anyone who contravenes this order shall be arrested and detained until 7 AM the following day.

“It is pertinent to state that Oro Ìpẹbí, which requires the incoming Aláàfin to go into absolute seclusion for its duration, is sacrosanct for the ascending Ikú-Bàbá-Yèyé and must be respected by all and sundry.”

But while reacting to the imposition of the curfew, the YMF, in a statement on Saturday, called for the arrest of Owoade, saying the imposition of the curfew was a breach of the fundamental rights of residents of the affected communities.

The group also condemned the Alaafin for allegedly encouraging idol worshipping in Yoruba land.

However, Igboho, in a statement on Sunday issued by his media team, described the call by the Islamic group as not only reckless but disrespectful to the Yoruba culture and tradition, and warned that any attempt to undermine the authority of Yoruba traditional rulers is an attack on the cultural heritage and unity of the Yoruba people.

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The Yoruba activist cautioned the YMF against disregarding the significance of the monarchy, stressing that Yoruba kings have always played a pivotal role in governance, conflict resolution, and community welfare.

“For centuries, Yoruba traditional rulers have been revered as custodians of history, values, and leadership,” the statement said.

“The Alaafin of Oyo holds one of the highest seats of authority in Yoruba land, making any attempt to discredit his role a direct assault on the identity of the Yoruba people.

“The call for the arrest of the Alaafin is a direct attack on Yoruba culture, history, and heritage. Our kings are the protectors of our land, and no group will be allowed to insult or diminish their role.

“It is unacceptable for any group to claim that our Obas are not their leaders because of religious differences. Yoruba land is built on respect and unity, not religious supremacy.

“If our kings lose their authority, who will defend our land? Who will protect our people? Those calling for the arrest of the Alaafin are enemies of Yoruba land and will not succeed in their mission to destroy our culture and leadership.

“The Yoruba people have always defended their culture, and we will not allow any group to erode our values in the name of religious fanaticism,” he asserted.

Igboho also criticised what he called the divisive rhetoric used by YMF which labelled Yoruba monarchs as idol worshippers, and warned that such narratives threaten the religious harmony that has defined Yoruba society for centuries.

“Yoruba people have long embraced religious tolerance, with Islam, Christianity, and indigenous beliefs coexisting peacefully. Any attempts to create divisions based on faith, Igboho stressed, must be resisted,” he added.

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