Police barricade venue of self-determination rally in Ibadan

The self-determination awareness rally organised by Banji Akintoye, leader of Ilana Odua, has suffered a setback.

The proposed venue of the rally, Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo state capital, has been taken over by armed policemen from the state command.

Dapo Salami, a media aide of Sunday Adeyemo, a youth leader popularly known as Sunday Igboho, told TheCable that the rally had been postponed.

Igboho is an ally of the 86-year-old Akintoye.

“I think the rally was postponed yesterday. But I am on my way to see Igboho at home. I will get back to you on the issue,” he said.

When contacted, Sina Akinpelu, publicity secretary of the New Era faction of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), said he was aware of the rally but not present at Mapo hall.

Akinpelu said some people who showed up for the rally turned back because of the police presence at the venue.

Akinpelu noted: “I was involved to some extent before the scheduled date. But I have been too busy with private matters so I am not at the venue now.

“I can confirm however that some people called me and said they had to abandon being part of the rally because police were seen at the venue.”

Efforts to get Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo, through Kehinde Aderemi, his personal assistant, were futile.