‘I refuse to accept that Igboho committed any offence except agitating against Fulani tyranny’ – Wole Soyinka

Renowned author and Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has asked the government of the Republic of Benin to release Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, because he has committed no offence.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Friday during an interactive session titled ‘Sanctions on the Loose: Chasing the Gnat with a Sledgehammer’, Soyinka said Benin Republic was wrong to keep Igboho in jail.

“I refuse to accept that Igboho committed any offence except agitating against Fulani tyranny against his people. He peacefully demonstrated his position. I can’t consider that to be a crime. Agitating for secession is not a criminal act as long as it is done peacefully. You don’t have to criminalise that.

“What crime did he commit against you (Benin Republic) to be in your jail?

“The Benin Republic should release this man. Please, rectify this error by releasing Igboho,” he said.

Soyinka also deplored what he called President Muhammadu Buhari’s obsession with imposing cattle routes, reserves and open grazing on Nigerians.

He warned President Muhammadu Buhari to stop attempting to impose grazing routes on Nigerians and undermine freedom of speech and of the press.

“He doesn’t seem to hear things… Is there an agenda we don’t yet know about? Eleyi koja oju lasan (this is more than ordinary),” he said.