Connect with us

News

Traditional Worshipers Protest Against Discrimination By Gov. Makinde

Published

5 years ago

on

The Traditional Worshippers Association Oyo State Chapter had on Tuesday in a peaceful protest called on Governor Seyi Makinde to stop discriminating against them.
The Association was sighted in a staged peaceful protest at the front of the Oyo State Government Secretariat Complex Agodi Ibadan, with various placards bearing various inscriptions such: “stop discrimination against traditional religion”, Oyo is a secular state, stop discrimination”, and others.
Dr. Fayemi Fakayode who is the  General Secretary of the Traditional Worshipers Association in the state spoke on behalf of others that the State government should look into their directions and address their agitations.
Fakayode also stated that whenever the election came, politicians promised them heaven and earth but neglect the group immediately after getting to the office.
“We are gathered here today to make our plight known to everybody in Oyo State. This peaceful demonstration is necessitated by the attitude of the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engineer Seyi Mankinde to the practitioners of Yoruba Traditional Religion in this state.
“The present administration under Engineer Seyi Makinde has refused to give the practitioners of Yoruba Traditional Religion in Oyo State audience despite seeking the attention of the former by the latter through letters, like her predecessors, the former has exempted the latter in the cabinet and has denied the latter any kind of recognition, hence, our questioning justice and equity as a bedrock of democracy in the case of Oyo State.
“As if the discrimination we are suffering is not enough, the state government has also been depriving us of our constitutional right of having public holidays.
“The public holidays we are agitating for are five ranging from May 15th for Ela festival, first Saturday of June and Friday that precedes it for a pilgrimage to our land of Otu-Ife and 20th August which Oyo State House of Assembly has already moved the motion for since February 2017 now awaiting executive consent”.Fakayode Stated.
Baale Olukanmi Egbelade, who doubles as the President Isese Foundation, and Oyo State Traditional Religion in his own brief during the protest stated that the association wants the state government to give them the recognition they deserve.
 He said “There is freedom of religion.  August 20 of every year should be given to us as a public holiday. It will add values to the economy in terms of tourism and the promotion of our cultural heritage. Through this, the Oyo State Government will generate more revenue”.
The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Odukoya Sunday, who received the association on behalf of the state government, promised to pass their message Governor Seyi Makinde.
 He said “They are part of the state nobody is looking down on them. I’m going to present their case to the Governor and he would do something about it”, he said.
Related Topics: