How Abiodun Helped Igboho Return Home for Mother’s Burial

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun played a behind-the-scenes role in enabling Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to return to Nigeria for his mother’s burial, according to human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi.

Olajengbesi, who represented Igboho during some of his legal troubles, said Abiodun agreed to stand as surety for the activist and vouch for his conduct so he could return home during a period when his movements were subject to serious security concerns.

The revelation comes against the background of one of the most turbulent periods in Igboho’s recent history.

From Ibadan raid to Benin Republic

Igboho became a prominent figure in the Yoruba self-determination movement and gained national attention in 2021 after his Ibadan residence was raided by security operatives.

Following the July 2021 operation, Igboho fled Nigeria and was subsequently detained in neighbouring Benin Republic.

Olajengbesi was among the lawyers who represented him during that period.

Igboho has now recalled that the lawyer remained with him during the difficult period and later became involved in efforts to facilitate his return to Nigeria.

The issue became particularly emotional after Igboho’s mother died.

According to Olajengbesi’s account, the activist wanted to return home for the burial but faced the possibility of being arrested.

The lawyer said he approached National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Governor Abiodun as part of efforts to make the return possible.

Igboho subsequently returned to Nigeria for the burial.

Abiodun’s role

Olajengbesi said Abiodun eventually agreed to stand surety for Igboho’s conduct. The account is significant because Abiodun and Igboho have occupied very different spaces in Ogun and South-West politics.

Igboho became associated with Yoruba self-determination activism and community security initiatives, while Abiodun is a sitting governor operating within Nigeria’s constitutional political structure.

The intervention therefore illustrates something that political arguments often obscure: people occupying different political positions can still intervene when a human situation demands it.

Abiodun has also recently called on political actors in Ogun to respect the rule of law and resolve disputes through lawful institutions rather than intimidation or violence.

A relationship remembered years laterIgboho’s latest comments came after Olajengbesi visited him in Ibadan.

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The activist used the meeting to publicly acknowledge the lawyer’s support during his detention and subsequent return.

He also declared support for Olajengbesi’s 2027 bid to represent the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency in Osun State on the platform of the Accord Party.

Igboho said Olajengbesi had helped him without demanding payment and urged him, if elected, to keep his promises to constituents.

The political endorsement is separate from the account of Abiodun’s intervention.

But together, the two developments tell a larger story about relationships forged during moments of personal crisis.

Beyond politics

The episode also raises a broader question about the place of political differences in human relationships.Igboho’s political history has often put him at odds with the Nigerian state.

Yet when a family tragedy occurred, the immediate question became whether he could return home to bury his mother.

In such moments, politics can give way to humanity. That does not erase the controversies surrounding Igboho’s political activities or his past encounters with security agencies.

Neither does the governor’s reported intervention amount to an endorsement of every position associated with Igboho.

It simply records an act of intervention that, according to Olajengbesi, helped a son return home for his mother’s final rites.

For a country where political disagreements can become intensely personal, perhaps that distinction matters. ValidViewNetwork reports.