US-based Yoruba Group Leader, Gbonka Ebiri Apologises Over Threats To Edo Monarch, Says Matter Was Resolved Three Years Ago
But Ebiri said that the matter was resolved three years ago when he made the comment in reaction to some people from Edo State who were spreading hate against Ooni of Ife during a heated argument.
The United States-based leader of a Yoruba group, Yoruba First, Gbomka Ebiri, who threatened to invade Edo State and kidnap their monarch, rape his wife and chase him to Calabar in Cross River State, has tended an apology.
SaharaReporters had reported that Ebiri whose LinkedIn profile showed that he was a student at University of Calicut from 2013-2018, and is based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, during a social media live meeting threatened to invade Edo State and kidnap their king, cause his wife to be raped and chase him to Calabar in Cross River State.
In the disturbing audio of the live meeting posted on X by a user with the account, @Voiceofigbos, Ebiri had said, “I will invade Edo and kidnap your king and have his wife r@ped and chase him to Calabar like the white people did.”
But Ebiri said that the matter was resolved three years ago when he made the comment in reaction to some people from Edo State who were spreading hate against Ooni of Ife during a heated argument.
He said that Ooni of Ife is a spiritual leader of the Yoruba people and being a traditionalist, his religion and identity was attacked by some people from Edo state he referred to as supremacists.
Ebiri said “Ooni of Ife was called a thief and scammer. His title was changed to a derogatory word ‘Horny of Ife’ these people mocked the death of a Yoruba Oba in Ekiti who was kidnapped and his wife violated by kidnappers.
“My response was in an impulsive moment against the attackers which I later regretted irrespective of the provocation as a proper Omoluabi and patriotic Nigerian.”
He said he tendered an apology immediately it happened two years ago.
“Furthermore, when this matter was brought up three days ago by people who are my political opponents, I tendered another apology where I described the event.”
According to Ebiri, the people who were on the platform where he made the comment constantly denigrated the Ooni of Ife for many years with words that could trigger any Yoruba man or woman who sees him as a spiritual head.
“Finally, I will also for the fourth time, in the space of two years, apologise for the comment made against the Oba…. I did that immediately on that very day two years ago.
“I did it on another platform two years ago and I also apologised 48 hours ago before this matter got to this level and I am also apologising again.
“I am imploring Nigerian authorities to help us address this issue of constant hate and threats towards the throne of Ooni of Ife by some of the individuals,” he added.
He alleged, “These attacks cause these unfortunate reactions. These individuals have severally made attempts to invade Ondo and annex it to Edo empire.
“As recent as yesterday, these same individuals still called the Ooni of Ife a scammer and a thief. These words are hurtful and provocative.
“This kind of outburst will not happen from me again. May God bless Nigeria and may Nigeria succeed.”
