Christians, Muslims, traditional worshippers sign undertaking over religious, cultural conflict in Oyo

Muslims, Christians and the Iseyin traditional Oro worshippers yesterday signed an undertaking to put an end to the crisis that often ensued among the religionists over the yearly ‘Oro’ festival in Iseyin Local Council of Oyo State.

The document and oath of undertaking were signed at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Oyo State Police Headquarters in Eleiyele, Ibadan, to properly address the cultural and religious clashes, which always metamorphosed into a conflict that may disturb the peace of Oyo State.

The state’s Commissioner of Police (CP), Shina Olukolu, said the meeting was not particularly meant to give handouts to the stakeholders on how to ensure peace in their area but to re-emphasise the need for tolerance and to ensure that peace and tranquility reign in their communities.

He insisted that the meeting was “to chat a way forward over the celebration of Oro festival in Iseyin town,”

Olukolu, who expressed displeasure on the lingering conflict, said: “It is the responsibility of the state police force, as the lead agency in internal security, to protect the lives and property of the people of the state, alongside other sister-security agencies in the state.

“There is no one who has the monopoly of violence. The brewing misunderstanding in Iseyin has affected and entrapped other communities around Iseyin axis in the state.”

The police commissioner, therefore, urged the parties involved to “look back and use their insights to draw inspiration for peace and not project violence while working on behalf of our gods.”

He also said that the police would not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law upon anyone who disobeys law and order in the state.

In his speech, Special Adviser on Security to the Oyo State governor, Fatai Owoseni, said the meeting was on the directive of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to look into the boiling issue in Iseyin between the traditional Oro worshipers and the Muslim community.

He said the parties involved had given their views and had been admonished to “separate criminality from religious worship.”

Owoseni said the Oro worshippers had been advised to limit their festival to three days, beginning from 5:30 every evening.

The Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Abdulganiyu Adekunle, said for the interest of all and sundry, another meeting would be held in Iseyin town to take a second dispassionate look at the issue and proffer enduring solution to it.

All parties involved were mandated to sign an undertaking by the state Commissioner of Police to affirm their peaceful co-operation while engaging in their religious activities.