‘You can’t fight for Yoruba freedom and dine with APC’ — Outrage trails Sunday Igboho’s appearance in party cap

Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, has drawn criticism after appearing in a cap bearing the logo of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Igboho was seen wearing the cap on Tuesday during the first Ramadan lecture hosted by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja, following his coronation. In a video circulating online, the activist is shown greeting the monarch and the guest lecturer, the Chief Imam of Offa, Sheikh Muyideen Salmon, while dressed in the APC-branded headwear.

The footage has generated strong reactions across social media platforms, with several commentators questioning Igboho’s political posture and drawing comparisons with Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu.

One user wrote, “Sunday Igboho shamelessly gallivanting with an APC cap on. You can’t be fighting for Yoruba freedom and still dine with the people who impoverished the same Yoruba people.”

Another commenter contrasted his actions with Kanu’s stance, claiming the IPOB leader had resisted political overtures. Others suggested that Igboho’s recent engagements may be linked to efforts to secure his return to Nigeria after years in exile.

Igboho fled Nigeria in July 2021 after security operatives raided his Ibadan residence over allegations of illegal arms possession. The operation followed his campaign against armed herdsmen in parts of the South-West. Three of his aides were killed during the raid, while 13 others were arrested.

He was later arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, while attempting to travel to Germany and was detained for more than a year before his release in March 2022. Under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, he was declared wanted, had his passport withheld and his bank accounts frozen despite court rulings in his favour.

In 2025, Igboho publicly appealed for his name to be removed from the wanted list, expressing frustration over his continued stay abroad. His spokesman, Olayomi Koiki, later stated that traditional rulers — including Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Francis Alao — intervened with President Bola Tinubu to facilitate his return.

Koiki said arrangements have been concluded for Igboho’s return and that he has been cleared by the Presidency.

Neither Igboho nor the APC has issued an official statement regarding the viral video.