Barely a month after his high-profile return from exile, Yoruba Nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has reportedly unleashed chaos on real estate companies in Ibadan, leaving developers shaken.
According to eyewitnesses, Igboho and his convoy of more than 15 vehicles stormed construction sites, accompanied by armed loyalists who allegedly forced some firms to halt operations while demanding settlements. The latest reported incident, which occurred on Monday, involved a prominent real estate firm where workers reportedly fled as Igboho issued stern warnings to “pay up or pack up.”
Adding to the controversy, witnesses claim that Igboho boasted of operating with the backing of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, describing the monarch as his “father” and using the endorsement to intimidate developers. The claims have sparked debate about whether the revered traditional ruler is aware of how his name is being invoked.
The irony is stark. Only weeks ago, Igboho had publicly appealed to the Olubadan, Ooni of Ife, and Olugbon of Orile Igbon to help secure his presidential pardon, pledging to be a force for good upon his return. Now, his alleged targets have shifted from alleged criminal elements to lawful businesses contributing to the local economy.
In response, the affected real estate company has engaged the Afe Babalola Law Firm and filed petitions with the Inspector General of Police, the Oyo State Government, the National Assembly, and even the President of Nigeria, demanding urgent legal intervention to restrain Igboho from further disruptions. Legal experts note that the move signals a no-nonsense stance, emphasizing that business operations cannot be held hostage, regardless of political connections or notoriety.
Some analysts dismiss Igboho’s resurgence as grandstanding, but others point to his violent history, including the 2021 raid on his Ibadan residence that left three aides dead, as evidence that his threats are serious and cannot be ignored.
Meanwhile, community leaders and citizens are calling on Oba Ladoja to publicly disown any actions taken in his name, arguing that the Olubadan’s office should not be used to intimidate lawful businesses.
As petitions pile up and legal proceedings begin, Ibadan’s real estate sector faces heightened uncertainty. Developers are cautious, workers are alert, and the city watches closely to see whether the law will intervene in what some fear may be the start of a renewed wave of unrest.