In a notable political development, the prominent Yoruba nation activist Sunday Igboho was publicly seen aligning with Nigeria's ruling party. On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Igboho was spotted in Ibadan wearing a cap branded with the logo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during high-profile engagements. This visual signal has ignited widespread speculation about a potential shift in his political stance and allegiances within the complex landscape of South-West Nigerian politics.
His day began at the APC State Congress held at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, a key party event for selecting state leadership. Attendance at such a congress is typically reserved for party members and sympathizers, marking a significant departure from his previous public image as a separatist agitator. This move suggests a possible strategic realignment or a new phase of engagement with the mainstream political process ahead of future elections.
Later, Igboho proceeded to the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, for the first Ramadan lecture of the season. Combining political activity with a traditional and religious event underscores a common Nigerian strategy of building legitimacy across multiple spheres of influence. His presence at the palace alongside political branding reinforces his continued status as a significant figure in the region's socio-political fabric.
This apparent political courtship follows a recent visit by Igboho to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Hashimu Argungu. During that meeting, the activist was quoted calling for national unity and expressing support for the President’s progressive development agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections. Such statements mark a stark contrast to his earlier rhetoric and indicate a possible effort to build bridges with federal authorities and support the current administration's platform.
Meanwhile, the political atmosphere is contrasted by heightened security concerns in the nation's capital. Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) woke up to a heavy deployment of security personnel on Thursday morning. This mobilization followed intelligence reports of a potential protest by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as the Shiites, leading to a significant show of force to maintain order.
Strategic locations, including the sensitive Three Arms Zone housing the presidency and legislature, Eagles Square, and major entry points into the city center, have been cordoned off. A combined team of soldiers, police officers, and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is manning these checkpoints. This operation reflects the government's continued vigilance against group activities it deems a threat to public peace in the capital.
However, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has challenged the basis for the security operation. In a brief statement, the group described the intelligence reports prompting the deployment as “baseless” and denied mobilizing its members for any street action in the capital today. This denial creates a direct conflict between official security intelligence and the group's declared intentions, raising questions about the triggers for such large-scale security measures.
The heavy presence of armed personnel has had a direct impact on daily life, causing significant traffic gridlock along major arteries like the Mararaba-Nyanya and Kubwa expressways. Security teams are conducting “stop-and-search” operations on suspicious vehicles, further slowing movement. This disruption highlights the tangible consequences of security alerts on Abuja's populace, even when the anticipated event does not materialize.
These events occur against a backdrop of recent changes in the nation's security architecture. There is conflicting information regarding a key appointment: one report states Rilwan Olatunji Disu emerged as acting Inspector-General of Police on 25 February, while another, referenced by Sunday Igboho, lauded the President for naming Tunji Disu as the new acting IGP. This contradiction about who holds the top police position points to potential confusion or conflicting reports within the public domain concerning critical security appointments.
