Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Emir of Ilorin, says Isese festival, a
cultural ceremony held in the town, was cancelled “to prevent crisis”.
According to NAN, the monarch described the decision as
“proactiveness”, saying it “is necessary to sustain peaceful co-existence in
the society”.
In a statement on Friday signed by AbdulAzeez Arowona, his
spokesperson, Gambari responded to an open letter addressed to him by Wole
Soyinka, the Nobel laureate.
The dispute began when Yeye Ajesikemi Omolara, a priestess,
was said to have announced the commencement of this year’s Isese festival from
July 22 to 24.
But members of the Majilisu Shabab li Ulamahu Muslim group,
in a video, warned the priestess against holding the event.
The group had claimed the order came from the emir.
Reacting to the development, Soyinka described the decision
to cancel the festival as “a crime against the cultural heritage of all
humanity” and “an assault on civilised conduct”.
He said Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of belief,
adding that the cancellation will undermine the country’s progress.
In response to the Nobel laureate, Gambari said the decision
was taken to avert situations that might lead to “reprisal attacks by
sympathisers or promoters of such belief (Isese festival) in other parts of the
country”.
He added that the priestess had lived “harmoniously” in the
town for years “until she decided to go beyond her boundaries”.
“In order to set records straight, Professor Wole Soyinka
tends to be economical with facts, forgetting that war is nobody’s want,” the
statement said.
“As he decided to
settle with a factor that is capable of causing chaos in the society, if not
quickly averted.
“This is to prevent crisis and not waiting until it erupt
because the cost of managing crises cannot be equated to the wisdom or courage
required to prevent it.
“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.
“It may result to
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.”
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Gradually, it will be established that Wole Soyinka may not be thinking right any more.
ReplyDeleteNo ! the Emir wasn’t thinking right. The Emir broke the law, he (Emir) violated the lady’s right. I would sue the Emir to civil court if I was the lady
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