By Lukman Olabiyi
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has written a letter to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, over the ongoing face off between Muslims and traditional worshippers in the state.
In the letter dated August 10, 2023, and titled: “Religious Fanaticism: “Clear and present danger in Ilorin’’, Adams expressed fear over activities of some people who he described as religious fanatics, attempting to create a crisis all in the name of religion. He said religious faith is personal.
“You pray to God in various languages, but to the same God. There is no religion that supports fanaticism. So, why should anybody stop traditionalists from worshipping Osun deity, when they have not said they will do the festival in a Church or Mosque?,” he queried.
The letter partly reads:”Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution states: ‘The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt 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 an 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 of Nigeria. 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 Chief Security Officer (CSO), you should not allow this affront. 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, please, 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”.
Adams called on the governor to checkmate fanatics hiding under religion to perpetrate evil, and pleaded with the state government to act fast and arrest the dangerous trend. He, however, advised the government to deal ruthlessly with anybody who disturbs or attacks others because of their religious beliefs.