L-R: Coordinator, Isese Religious Association, Oyo Media Board, Oloye Awoniran Ifamuyiwa; Asiwaju Awo of Oyo town and Chairman, Isese Worshippers Committee, Oloye Onifade Olanipekun; and Chairman, Isese Religious Association, Oyo, during the press briefing, held at the palace of Alaafin of Oyo. Photo: Ademola Adegbite.
Traditional worshippers under the aegis of the Isese Religious Association in Oyo town have urged stakeholders to promote peace, respect traditional rulers and preserve Yoruba cultural identity amid concerns over allegations and public statements capable of creating tension among traditional institutions.
The worshippers also cautioned members of the public, particularly bloggers and traditionalists, against unverified allegations and inflammatory publications concerning the Alaafin of Oyo and other traditional rulers.
The Chairman of the Isese Worshippers Committee and Asiwaju Ask of Oyo, Chief Onifade Olanipekun, made the appeal during a press briefing at the palace of the Alaafin in Oyo town on Friday.
Olanipekun said traditional institutions represented important aspects of Yoruba history, identity, customs and collective heritage, adding that they deserved respect and responsible public engagement even when opinions differed.
Olanipekun said, “Our kings and traditional institutions represent important aspects of our history, identity, customs, and collective heritage. They deserve responsible public engagement, constructive dialogue, and respect, even when opinions differ.
“The unity of Yoruba land is a shared responsibility. We must not allow unverified allegations, inflammatory publications, or the actions of a few individuals to create unnecessary divisions among our people and institutions.
“The association considers this allegation misleading and a misrepresentation of the relationship between the Isese community and the revered traditional institution of the Alaafin of Oyo.”
The chairman reaffirmed the association’s support for the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, saying its commitment to the traditional institution predated the monarch’s installation and was rooted in its respect for Yoruba ancestral and spiritual heritage.
He said, “The Isese community and Sàngó worshippers in Oyo town wish to state unequivocally that our support for the Alaafin’s throne did not begin today. Our commitment to this traditional institution has been evident since the installation of His Imperial Majesty as the Alaafin of Oyo and remains firmly rooted in our reverence for our ancestors, our spiritual heritage, and the enduring tradition of our forefathers.
“In our religious and cultural understanding, the Alaafin’s throne holds profound historical and spiritual significance. Our reverence for the throne is inseparable from our responsibility to preserve the history, customs, traditions, and identity of Oyo Kingdom for present and future generations.”
Olanipekun urged the public to distinguish between the conduct of individuals and the official position of the Isese community, warning against attributing statements made by individuals on social media to the entire association.
He also appealed to traditionalists, irrespective of their location, to exercise restraint when commenting on the Alaafin, other traditional rulers and Yoruba cultural institutions.
“We believe promoting Isese requires knowledge, integrity, responsibility, and respect for our collective heritage. No individual should use the name of our religion to create unnecessary hostility or mislead the public about the position of the Isese community in Oyo,” he added.
Earlier, the Director of Administration to the Alaafin, Prince Adesola Sanda, who represented the monarch, called for unity and mutual understanding among traditional religious associations.
Sanda said the Isese philosophy emphasised Omoluabi, a Yoruba concept associated with good character, integrity and respect, noting that traditional religious associations promoted these values through respect for elders and ancestral lineage.