Traditionalists in Oyo state under the auspices of
Traditional Religion Worshipers’ Association of Oyo State (TRWASSO) have asked the state governor-elect, Engr. Seyi Makinde to treat them as bonafide citizens in the state under his administration.
The traditionalists while stating this in a congratulatory letter presented to the governor-elect during a visit to Engineer Makinde at his Ikolaba, Ibadan residence specifically advised the governor elect against engaging in any act of discrimination against traditionalists in the state when he assume office come May, 29 this year.
Tasking the governor-elect to refrain from religious bigotry and see them as bonafide citizens in the state, the traditionalists in the letter jointly signed by Surveyor Dasola Adefabi,(President), Chief Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode (Secretary), Baale Omikunmi Egbelade, Aare Isese Yoruba Foundation (Patron) and Oluwo Fasoji Fasola (President, Oyinbo Ifa Foundation), charged the governor elect to give recognition to them in all public programs organised by his government.
According to the traditionalists in the letter, it was unfortunate that Governor Abiola Ajimobi refused to give executive consent to the motion for holidays meant for traditional religion in the state, though the bill had been passed in February 2017 by the state House of Assembly.
“The believers of traditional religion believe that we will not suffer any act of discrimination under your leadership as we have suffered under the outgoing government. On behalf of the practitioners of traditional religion in Oyo state, we implore you to refrain from religious bigotry. We want you to see us as bonafide citizens of Oyo State. You should always welcome us as we will always present our plights before your Excellency one after the other,” they said.
The traditionalists added, “on behalf of all the practitioners of traditional religion in Oyo State, we congratulate you on your victory in the recent gubernatorial election in the state. In fact, it is obvious to all and sundry that your victory was a divine one because your political party neither bought votes nor forced people to vote.”
The traditionalists then called on Engineer Makinde to ” remember that Olodumare (God) puts him in the position as a test and should always welcome them whenever they present their plights before him, saying, “in a nutshell, we could vividly see that the election was free and fair and you emerged as the Governor because, the people of the state have confidence in you.
“Sir, we implore you to always remember that Olodumare (God), puts you in this position as a test. We pray that you will never fail in execution of the assignments. Oyo state will witness peace and development during your reign.”
The traditionalists however listed their demands from the administration of the governor elect to include that “the traditional religion should be given public holidays as follows: Isese festival which is August 20th annually. Ela festival which is May 15th annually. Oke Itase pilgrimage which is the Friday that precedes the first Saturday of every June.
“Sir it will amaze you to hear that in February 2017, the Oyo state House of Assembly moved motion for holidays for traditional religion in the state and passed it, but the government under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi refused to give executive consent to it till present. This is our plight under the outgoing government. Funny enough, the Osun State government did it five years ago despite the fact that we started agitating for it ever before our people in Osun state.”
They gave other demands as “we need traditional religion pilgrimage. Traditional religion studies should be introduced as a subject in all levels of education in the state so that our children will no more be tactically indoctrinated or frustrated and forced to renounce their belief and convert to either Islam or Christianity There should be due recognition for us in all public programs organised by the government as government recognise Muslims and Christians.”
“We want to have slots for Commissioners, board chairmen and other political appointments in the state. The post of Governor, Deputy and SSG should not be only for Muslims and Christians, we deserve to present SSG if the Governor is a Christian and the Deputy is a Muslim. Your Excellency sir, we pray that Olodumare (God) will guide you throughout your tenure. We pray that Oyo state will progress in all ramifications. We pray for peace in the state.”
