The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, clarified that the Isese festival was called off as a preventive measure to maintain peace and avert any possible crisis in Ilorin, Kwara State.
This statement from the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, was made in light of the criticism directed at him by Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, regarding his intervention to stop Yeye Ajesikemi Omolara, an Osun priestess, from holding an Isese festival in the state.
The Emir, in a statement released on Friday and signed by his spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Arowona, explained that the decision to cancel the festival was undertaken to avoid circumstances that could potentially lead to a crisis in various regions of the country.
The statement reads, ‘To set records straight, Professor Wole Soyinka tends to be economical with facts, forgetting that war is what nobody wants’
It was noted by the spokesperson that the Emir took the step of canceling the festival because of the potential havoc it could wreak in society if not addressed in a timely manner.
‘This is to prevent crisis and not wait until it erupts because the cost of managing crises cannot be equated to the wisdom or courage required to prevent it.’
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‘Such proactiveness is necessary in order to sustain peaceful co-existence in the society.’
‘It is therefore surprising to hear that the position of Professor Soyinka is identical to someone who does not consider what might transpire if the programme was hosted,’ the statement said.
Additionally, the statement acknowledged that the priestess had been living in the town for years in a state of harmony, until complications arose when she exceeded the limits of her designated role.
‘It may result in issues which could also lead to reprisal attacks by sympathisers or promoters of such belief (Isese festival) in other parts of the country.’
‘There are many non-indigenes in Kwara who are serving and retired, including business owners who have vowed to move their families to the state due to the peace and harmony enjoyed therein.’
‘Yeye Ajesikemi also confirmed that she has been living harmoniously in Ilorin for many years, not until she decided to go beyond her boundaries.’
Prof. Wole Soyinka had earlier criticized the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari’s involvement in preventing Yeye Ajesikemi Omolara, an Osun priestess, from organising an Isese festival in the state. The aim of the festival is to commemorate Ifa spirituality and practice.