What would have been resulted in a religious clash between adherents of Islam and traditional worshippers in Ilorin, has been averted following the decision of an Osun Priestess to shelved her plans to host a traditional festival, also known as Isese Day.
Some Muslims in Ilorin under the aegis of Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society, had warned Adesikemi Olokun Omolara Olatunjinot, the priestess not to hold the event, saying the warning came from the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari
Olatunji said she would no longer hold the event due to death threats she has been receiving.
Speaking during a short video published on Facebook, Omolara narrated her problem with the islamists after announcing the event
According to her, ”I was planning an Isese festival in Ilorin. Issues began after fliers for the event were posted online. In no time, I was bombarded with calls and social media tags.
“Some of my people soon began calling to inform me of plans by the imams to shut my event down. It’s been a stressful couple of days since the fliers were released, I have received multiple death threats from unknown people.”
Recall that the Islamic group had visited her residence to warn her against the festival, saying they were asked by the Emir to convey the message to her.
Isese, the Yoruba word for tradition, is used to denote different kinds of festivals held by adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion in Nigeria and other countries of the world.
While issuing the warning to the priestess, after they stormed her residence the group said traditional festivals are not allowed in four local governments in the state, because traditional worship is prohibited in these areas.
The local governments are Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Asa.
The Muslim group was prompted by a viral video by a resident of the state that the priestess was preparing to hold the festival.
The group led by some Imams immediately stormed her home to warn her to desist from the plan.
Although the group stressed that the visit and their intentions were peaceful, the Imams, while making subtle threats, warned Alaba of the potentially dire consequences of holding the festival, while stressing that the state only supports Islamic activities.
One of the Imams who led the group stated that they were sent by the “Emir of Ilorin, to warn against this Isese festival.”
He continued saying traditional religious worshippers could celebrate in private but never publicly in the ’emirate’ as the only deity that could be publicly celebrated is the one Muslims in the state serve.
”We are here on behalf of the Emir of Ilorin to ask that you desist from any Isese. We are also backed by the laws of the land. We are not here to fight you but to warn you against this celebration.”
Ilorin was Yoruba-controled before its conquest by Fulani jihadist, Utman Dan Fodio.
There has been rival clashes for years between Yoruba and Fulani, and top on the demands of the former is to have an Oba installed to lead them rather than the Emir.
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