Ifa Council Worldwide Writes Tinubu, Wants Rights Of Traditional Religion Practitioners Protected From Likes Of Emir Of Ilorin, Others

Piqued by the recent Ilorin religious conflict and the seemingly conspiratorial silence of relevant agencies and notable individuals in power over the cause of the competition, the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu.

It called for recognition of traditionalists and respect for aspects of Nigeria’s Constitution that emphasise equity, equality and freedom of religion.

ICIR recalled a recent incident in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, in which some Muslims, with the support of the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, threatened and harassed an Osun priestess, Yeye Ajesikemi Olokun, for wanting to hold Isese festival.

The Muslim fanatics described Ilorin as a Muslim city.

In a letter issued and signed by the President of the Council, Oluwo Solagbade Popoola, on behalf of ICIR (Worldwide), on Friday, the organization alleged that governments at all levels overlook the principles of secularism by giving more prominence and attention to Islam and Christianity in total disregard of the religious diversity which is one of the unique features of the Nigerian State.

The letter signed by Oluwo Solagbade Popoola, President of ICIR (Worldwide), and titled: ‘Open Letter To His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Hammed Tinubu GCFR, President And Commander-In-Chief, Federal Republic Of Nigeria’ reads in part: “Your Excellency, as you gradually settle down for the business of leading Nigeria to political, social and economic stability, ICIR feels it very pertinent to draw your attention to one of the salient and critical issues in Nigeria’s Constitution which has often been flagrantly and carelessly ignored. This issue centres on the principles of secularism as enshrined in several provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

“ICIR respectfully wishes to remind you of Section 10 of the Constitution of Nigeria, which unequivocally states that ‘The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as a State Religion.’ This provision prohibits the establishment of a state religion and affirms the secular nature of the Nigerian State.

“Your Excellency is invited to also note Section 38 of the Constitution, which clearly states that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This includes the freedom to manifest and practice any religion or belief of one’s choice, either individually or in a community, subject to certain limitations to protect public safety, order, morality, or the rights of others.

“Bearing the above in mind, it may interest Your Excellency to know that traditional religion and its practitioners,, have continued to suffer persecution and harassment at the hands of the two dominant beliefs in Nigeria, Islam and Christianity.

“Successive government administrations across all tiers have continued to discriminate broadly against traditional religions. The case of intimidation and harassment of a conventional religion practitioner by the Emir of Ilorin royal envoy is a recent and fresh example. Like messengers of death, some Muslim leaders had besieged the home of an Osun Priestess and threatened her never to practice her faith within specified areas of Ilorin.

“Up till this moment, the Nigerian Police and the Kwara State Government are yet to take any reasonable action that could deter such illegality. Yet Section 42 of Nigeria’s Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion and states that no Nigerian can be discriminated against based on their religion or belief. This provision also emphasizes the equality of all citizens irrespective of their religious affiliation.

“Your Excellency, it is arguable that the Federal Government and most States seem to be deliberate in their disregard to the aspect of Section 10 of the said Constitution, which requires them to maintain neutrality regarding religious matters: Section 10 prohibits the adoption of any religion as a state religion.

“Therefore, those Ilorin Muslim leaders ought to have been decisively dealt with for declaring certain parts of Ilorin a Muslim area. Section 10 explicitly states that the Government should not favour or endorse any religion. Instead, the Constitution expects the government to treat all religions equally and respect the religious diversity of its citizens.

“Another critical issue is that Federal and State Governments, in disregard to the Constitution, set aside specific days as public holidays for Christians and Muslims to celebrate their unique festivals such as Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Eid al-Fitr, Ramadan Eid al-Adha, Mawlid etc. Granting holidays to two religions, out of many, in a religiously diversified nation like Nigeria contradicts Nigeria’s secular character and is recognized by our Constitution.

“The dominance of Islam and Christianity in a secular State like Nigeria could be said to have been significantly influenced by the recognition given to them, above others, by Government. Why do both religions have Welfare and Pilgrimage Boards funded by our commonwealth while other faiths are suppressed?

“The dominance of Islam and Christianity notwithstanding, traditional religions hold significance for many Nigerians. Therefore, it is essential to factor our welfare along that of others to foster inclusiveness and ensure harmonious relationships.”

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Therefore, the ICIR asked Tinubu to, among other requests, “grant due recognition to traditional religion alongside dominant ones in Nigeria; grant all traditional religions August 20 as Public Holiday for the entire practitioners of the religions in Nigeria to observe as a day to worship God and also venerate their ancestors and establish a legal framework that recognizes and protects the rights of individuals to practice traditional religions.”

According to ICIR, “this should also protect sacred sites and access to such places” and “allow religious ceremonies and rituals, and ensure that traditional religious practitioners are not subjected to discrimination or persecution”.

Ifa Council Worldwide Writes Tinubu, Wants Rights Of Traditional Religion Practitioners Protected From Likes Of Emir Of Ilorin, Others

It added that “Nigeria Police and other Security Agencies should be authorized to arrest and prosecute anyone who tries to harass or intimidate any individual with the view preventing them from the free exercise of their freedom of religion or right to affirm their individual belief whether in public or private”.

ICIR also asked President Tinubu to “establish Welfare Board for practitioners of traditional religions in Nigeria to, among other things, ensure they have due access to heritage facilities and sites that have a significant link with their faith and belief system” and “include us in interfaith dialogue and other relevant platforms when formulating policies or making decisions to ensure that our perspectives are also taken into account”.

“Finally, we urge you to consider the need to go deep into the origin of Nigeria’s current socio-economic situation and tackle the problems once and for all, thereby making way for a new Nigeria, the Nigeria of everybody’s dream,” it added.