August 07, (THEWILL) -Nigeria’s Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reportedly met with some leaders of Benin Republic to negotiate asylum for Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
THEWILL reports Igboho has been in detention since July 19, 2021 when he was arrested by Interpol at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.
As part of efforts to rescue the embattled agitator, Obasanjo, according to The Cable, was in Benin Republic in the first week of August, 2021.
He was said to have travelled to Benin Republic to condole with Nicephore Soglo, who recently lost his wife, Roseline Soglo.
It was gathered the former Beninese President and Obasanjo have maintained a long-standing relationship over the years.
TheCable’s source said: “He also met with Patrice Talon. The purpose of the meeting was to seek soft-landing for Sunday Igboho.
“He’s asking the Beninese authorities to grant the separatist leader asylum, and not to return him to Nigeria,” a source in the Benin diplomatic reportedly said. “The former President intervened on the request of some South-West leaders.”
Also, some Yoruba-speaking monarchs in Benin Republic have mounted pressure on the government to grant asylum to Igboho
THEWILL learnt that the monarchs have submitted the letter to Talon and some other top government officials including the Minister of Interior and the Senate President.
The letter, signed by the Alajuwon of Ajuwon land, who is the President of the Council of Obas, alongside the Onikoyi Abesan-an, Alajase of Ajase land, Onimase of Imase land, Oniohorige of Ohori, Onnilaase of Ilase land, Onikrake of Kraka land from Seme town.
Spokesperson for Ilana Egbe Omo Odua confirmed the strategic interventions by the monarchs.
He said: “Yes, the monarchs have been very helpful. We are hopeful that Igboho will be granted asylum this week.”
