Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, yesterday, called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State to prevail on the Emir of Ilorin, Justice Ibrahim Sulu Gambari (rtd), not to allow any Muslim fanatics in the state to use his name to cause insurrection.

In an open letter entitled: ‘Religious Fanaticism: Clear and Present Danger in Ilorin’ addressed to the governor, Adams reminded AbdulRazaq of the recent story of an Osun deity devotee, who wanted to practise her faith in peace, but was visited by some aggressive Islamic leaders, who warned her to stop, otherwise something terrible might happen to her.

According to Adams, this kind of threat can lead to religious war, if the governor, who is the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the state, fails to address it.

The letter reads: “Your Excellency, religion is personal, as long as you don’t allow your belief to affect others. I am sure no traditionalist will go to any Church or Mosque to practise his or her faith.”

He cited Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution, which forbids the federal or any state government from adopting any religion as state religion.

“It is because of this legal truism that I want to bring to your notice a ‘clear and present danger’ in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, which may lead to implosion, if something drastic is not done immediately to checkmate some religious fanatics already on the rampage. These fanatics have demonstrated, through their actions, their lack of respect for the Constitution.”

“Kwara is known as the ‘State of Harmony’ and the three main religions – Christianity, Islam and Traditional – have co-existed for more than 400 years. Pitiably, some fanatics want to turn it to a ‘State of Hostility, hatred, belligerence, blood and tears’ and as the CSO, you should not allow this affront.”

It is absolute lunacy, he said, for anybody to say Ilorin has been captured for Islam and no other form of worship will be allowed, tolerated or accepted. This is the trait of spiritual illiterates.

He further stated: “Obviously, Ilorin was founded by the Yoruba and we have never prevented anybody from practising his or her faith. Ilorin is also a Yoruba city with a large Muslim population, but there are still many Christians and traditionalists practising their faiths and praying to God.

“I am writing this letter to you to prevail on the Emir of Ilorin, retired Justice Ibrahim Kolapo Sulu Gambari, not to allow any Muslim fanatic invoke his name to cause insurrection because this can lead to a religious war.”