Traditional Worshippers Urge Tinubu to Wade into Threat to Life of Members

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Traditional worshippers under the aegis of Isese Welfare Association (IWA) have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to wade into a brewing security situation in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where a member, Omolara Oladipo, is being threatened by some Muslim faithful who were against her celebration of the 2023 Isese Festival.

The association in a statement made available in Ibadan and signed by its Coordinator, Aderemi Ifaoleepin, and Secretary-General, Ifagbenusola Popoola, respectively, also called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, the Department of State Services and the police authority to look into the matter and ensure that the country’s constitution on freedom of religion is followed to the letter.

It disclosed that every available means of intimidation and death threats were applied by the Muslim faithful to discourage the organiser of the event to cancel the celebration which is held globally by adherents of Isese religion, adding that instead of the police authority in the state to wade in and enforce the letters of the constitution in allowing the freedom of religious beliefs the victim was told to cancel the event.

The statement read in part: “We greet you all in the name of all the Irunmole/Orisa and particularly Almighty Olodumare. Over the week, we have seen how some fanatical Muslims in Ilorin, Kwara State capital seriously threatened and intimidated an Onisẹese (a practitioner of Isese – Yoruba Indigenous Religion) in the person of Yeye Ajesikẹemi Olokun (Omolara Oladipo) whose Ìṣẹ̀ṣe festival was scheduled to take place along Secondary School Road, Oke Andi, Ilọrin, Kwara State between 22nd and 24th of July, 2023 which has to be cancelled, due to serious threat to her life, and supposedly for security reasons, based on the stern warning and advice of the police. 

“We are constrained here to ask these simple and straight questions: is Ilorin no longer a Yoruba community or no more part of Yorubaland? Is Ilorin now solely a Muslim community? Do people still have the rights under Nigerian Constitution to practice whatever religion they subscribe to? If truly, Islam is a religion of peace, is threatening others over their belief system an act of peace? What does peace mean to these sets of fanatical Muslims in Ilorin?

“It is not only unethical, unlawful and a gross act of misconduct against the right of freedom of worship, but a sheer act of wickedness for the fanatical Muslims in Ilorin community to dictate the mode of worship and religious practices to be observed in llorin Emirate. 

“Certainly, this act of religious intolerance by these fanatical Muslims in Ilorin calls for a review and reflection by the appropriate authorities. 

“Now is the time to say no to these uncivilised acts of denying others their constitutionally guaranteed rights of observance of their Indigenous Religious obligations.

“Consequently, we urge the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who is a true son of Yoruba land to wade in and give directives to the security agencies to give utmost protection to our people, same appeal goes to the State Governor, an injustice to one, is an injustice to all.”

The association emphasised its support for Oladipo (Yeye Ajesikemi) and other Isese worshipers in the state and all over the world, stating that they will not keep quiet or turn blind eyes to any injustice to its members from any quarter.

It then assured that it would continue to preach peaceful coexistence among religious bodies and practitioners to engender human development.