The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has addressed an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging for the protection and recognition of the rights of traditional religion practitioners in Nigeria. The letter emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of equity, equality, and freedom of religion as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.
The motivation for the letter stemmed from a recent religious conflict in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State. During this conflict, some Muslims, allegedly supported by the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, reportedly threatened and harassed an Osun priestess, Yeye Ajesikemi Olokun, for attempting to hold the Isese festival. The perpetrators referred to Ilorin as a Muslim city, raising concerns about the treatment of traditionalists in a religiously diverse country.
ICIR expressed its dismay at the apparent neglect of the principles of secularism by various levels of government, which have tended to give preference to Islam and Christianity while disregarding other religions. This discrimination, the council argued, is a violation of Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution, which clearly prohibits the adoption of any religion as a state religion and emphasizes the secular nature of the Nigerian state.
Additionally, ICIR reminded President Tinubu of Section 38 of the constitution, which guarantees every individual’s right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, allowing them to practice their chosen faith without discrimination. However, traditional religion practitioners have continued to face persecution and harassment, as exemplified by the incident involving the Osun priestess in Ilorin.
The council called for decisive action to prevent the marginalization and harassment of practitioners of traditional religions, emphasizing the need for the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to arrest and prosecute those attempting to interfere with the free exercise of religious freedom.
Furthermore, ICIR appealed for greater inclusiveness, proposing that traditional religion be officially recognized alongside dominant religions in Nigeria. The council urged for the establishment of August 20 as a public holiday for all traditional religion practitioners in the country, providing them with an opportunity to worship their deities and honor their ancestors.
To safeguard the rights of traditional religion practitioners, ICIR requested the establishment of a legal framework protecting their religious practices, sacred sites, and access to such places. The council also sought representation in interfaith dialogues and policy-making platforms, ensuring that their perspectives are taken into account when formulating decisions.
ICIR implored President Tinubu to address the root causes of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, fostering an inclusive society that respects the religious diversity of its citizens. By granting equal recognition and protection to all religions, the council hopes to contribute to the realization of the Nigeria of everyone’s dreams.
