By Michael Olatunji
The Osugbo Akile Ijebu and other traditional worshippers in Ogun State, has berated the Ogun State House of Assembly, for meddling, and intent to tinker with the age-long custom and practice of oba installations and burial rites.
In a communiqué issued yesterday, the group, led by their president, High Chief (Prince) Sobowale Fatai Adebanjo, advised the lawmakers and its leadership to be wary of being used as rubber stamp to legalise illegality, as the outcome of the bill, if passed, may lead to acts capable of threatening the peace and orderliness in the state.
The group further said, in line with their expectations, the chairman of the House committee on local government and chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Balogun Agbolade, in a press interview earlier granted, said the Assembly would call for public hearing from traditional institution to participate directly on the issues as it affects their religious rights.
To participate in the anticipated public hearing, the group through the communique listed the following conditions and demands for participation; “that it should be a hearing between the obas and traditional worshippers in the state to the exclusion of other religious worshippers”
“That it should be given 21 days notice before the hearing
“That it should be conducted in a secured and conducive atmosphere
” That the 21days requested shall not run until after COVID-19 is completely eased by thee federal and state governments.
“That there must be adequate representations of all traditional worshippers
“That it will be adequately covered by all the media houses in Nigeria.
The communique signed by the president of Osugbo Akile Ijebu traditional group and six other high ranking executive members of the said anything short of this would not be in the overall interest of the traditional institutions and religious practitioners in the state.