ABEOKUTA — Palpable fear has gripped some residents
of Ogere, Iperu, Ilishan, Ikenne towns and Irolu all in Remo North and
Ikenne Local Government Areas of Ogun State following the threat by
Oro cultists to begin their festival in day time contrary to the directive of
the state government.
Vanguard gathered that the traditionalists have vowed to go
ahead with the festival despite the directive by the Ogun State
government which had banned day time Oro festival across the state
following a clash between the traditionalists and Muslims in some parts
of the state last year.
Vanguard gathered that the traditionalists have vowed to go
ahead with the festival despite the directive by the Ogun State
government which had banned day time Oro festival across the state
following past clashes between the traditionalists and Muslims in
some parts of the state last year.
It was gathered that, the atmosphere in the towns is charged
following the insistence of the Oro cultists who have reportedly
announced the commencement of the festival in different parts of Remo for three
consecutive days.
The state government had last year in a letter entittled
‘Annual Oro traditional festival,’ signed by the Permanent Secretary of the
Bureau of Cabinet and Special Services, Mrs. K.I. Akinwande given a directive
banning such across the state to prevent clashes between traditionalists
and Muslims.
The state government while responding to a letter of
request by the Ologere of Ogere, Oba Oladele Ogunbade dated July 9, 2013
on whether the Oro cultists should be allowed to hold their festival in day
time, said the decision of the government to ban day time Oro
festival last year remained intact.
“Please, be informed that at a recent meeting with the
Commissioner of Police and Ogun State government, it has been resolved that on
no account should any Oro festivals be held during the day again in Ogun
State,” government said.
It was, however, gathered that Oba Ogunbade has
communicated the decision of the state government to the Oro cultists, but they
reportedly insisted in carrying out the festival being an annual event.
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