The newly-appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has clarified some issues raised concerning restriction of movement in respect of the ongoing Oro Ipebi (seclusion) being performed for him.
The Oro Ipebi is a traditional rite performed before his eventual official ascendancy to the throne as the new Alaafin of Oyo.
An official statement issued last week to announce the commencement of the traditional rite and restriction of movement generated some controversies among Christian and Muslim faithful.
The statement contained some words such as “curfew”, “arrest” and “detention” and which the Christians and Muslims saw as demeaning, coercive and profane to their religions.
However, Oba Owoade has clarified that those words used in the statement were not meant as profanities against the ongoing Ramadan and Lenten seasons.
The Alaafin made the clarification in a press release on Sunday by his Chief of Staff, Rotimi Osuntola, titled “RE: Restriction Of Movement In Oyo Town”.
The office of the Chief of Staff to the Alaafin of Oyo noted the sentiments expressed by a section of the Oyo populace on restriction of movements during certain hours of the day.
The restriction, it noted, was announced in view of the ongoing Oro Ipebi being currently performed in respect of the ascendancy of Oba Owoade to the throne of the Alaafin.
“While the employment of words such as” curfew”, “arrest” and “detention” were used in the earlier release that emanated from this office, they were used in the loose traditional sense of anytime Orò rites are performed in Oyo Kingdom.
“Their interpretations should be seen as such, and not being coercive or meant to demean or profane the ongoing Ramadan and Lenten seasons.
“Instead, they were just meant to encourage our people to be mindful of their movements during the traditional rites. Therefore, the earlier release concerning curfew, arrest and detention of violators should be discountenanced.
“His Imperial Majesty, himself being a practicing Muslim and a man of Iman (faith), will never toy with human rights and freedoms enshrined and guaranteed by the Constitution.
“His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has directed that the issue of curfew be discountenanced.
“The oba, being a peace-loving king, does not want disunity and disharmony amongst the subjects as the initial release was aimed at protecting the lives of all and sundry in Oyo Town during the period of the Oro rites,” Odunola stated in the release.
Oba Owoade therefore advised indigenes and residents of Oyo to be careful with their movement in the areas where the Oro rites are being performed.
“It is customary in Oyo to ask for the restriction of movement during the Oro Ipebi rites.
“However the office of the Chief of Staff regrets the use of the words, “curfew”, “arrests” and “detention” and hereby accepts responsibility because the oba had started the rites when the release was made.
“We enjoin the good people of Oyo to go about their normal duties without fear of arrest, detention and molestation.
“Ilu Oyo a gbe wa o. lle Yoruba yio maa te siwaju o,” the Chief of Staff to the Alaafin of Oyo added in the release.
