Forgive Me, the Pain Overwhelmed Me – Igboho Apologises to Ooni of Ife

Yoruba Activist Sunday Igboho, has apologised to Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, hours after he insulted the monarch calling him a “Fulani slave”.

According to Igboho, the Ooni failed by not telling President Muhammadu Buhari the truth about the predicament of Yoruba people in the hands of the Fulani herders, when they both met in Abuja.

Igboho during a virtual town hall with Yorubas in the Diaspora on Wednesday, insulted Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife; Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Seyi Makinde, the Oyo governor, and Yoruba politicians in general, as “Fulani slaves”.

“Our leaders are lazy and slaves to Fulanis. They visit Abuja to collect money; we will attack them and destroy their property. Ooni should be dealt with. I am annoyed. Why should we be afraid of the crown they (Yoruba monarchs) wear? Tinubu and other Yoruba politicians are Fulani slaves,” Igboho had stated.

However, in an interview with Isokan Omo Oodua TV, an online broadcast medium, the Yoruba Activist begged for forgiveness from the monarch, whom he described as his father, adding that he was caught in the moment.

“They said I insulted the Ooni of Ife. I and the monarch, as well as the Olugbon, have spoken on the phone. The Yoruba tradition doesn’t permit the insult of elders.

“But because I was pained by the issue, my tongue was caught up in the moment. I spoke according to how pained I was. It wasn’t the Ooni alone I directed my words at, I also did to other elders,” Igboho said.

“It’s a case of father and child. I and the monarch have spoken as well as the Olugbon. I did not insult the Ooni. And if it appears as if I did, he should forgive me.”