The Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants International Council, representing indigenous African religions, has issued a warning to what it describes as “Islamic extremists” in Ilorin, Kwara State, regarding the harassment and provocation of its members in the state.

As reported by The PUNCH on July 1, a Muslim group known as Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society stormed the residence of Yeye Omolara Ajesekemi, a traditional religion priestess, to impose a ban on any form of Isese festival in five local governments in the state.

Isese, a Yoruba word meaning tradition, refers to various festivals held by followers of the Yoruba traditional religion in Nigeria, as well as in Cuba, Brazil, the United States, Benin, and other countries.

The group specifically listed four local governments where they prohibited any form of traditional religion: Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Asa. They claimed to be conveying a warning from the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

In response, the president of the Ancient Religion Societies of African Descendants International Council (ARSADIC), Aare (Dr) Ifagbenusola Atanda, released a statement on Monday emphasizing the need to discourage religious fundamentalism in any part of the country.

Atanda condemned the actions of the Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society and Abdulazeez Arowona, the spokesperson for the Emir of Ilorin, for threatening the priestess and obstructing the organization of the Isese festival.

The statement strongly asserted the rights of traditional religion practitioners to freedom of religion and association, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. Atanda reaffirmed the commitment of the indigenous religious community to engage peacefully with other faiths while warning against any encroachment on their religious rights.

Atanda emphasized that Ilorin, as part of Kwara State, is an integral component of Nigeria, and they are prepared to defend their faith. He declared, “We will never fold our arms and allow extremists in any guise to deny us our God-given rights, supported by the laws of Nigeria as a secular state. We are quite aware that Ilorin, Kwara State is an integral part of Nigeria, and we are ready to defend our faith.”

Atanda called upon the state government, led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and all security agencies to intervene and fulfill their constitutional duty of safeguarding lives and property.

Source: Punch