The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari has explained that the reason behind the cancellation of Isese festival, a Yoruba cultural ceremony held in the town annually.
SaharaReporters had reported that Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, in an open letter, criticised the Emir of Ilorin, for reportedly banning the Yoruba cultural ceremony.
Soyinka had described the decision to cancel the festival as “a crime against the cultural heritage of all humanity” and “an assault on civilised conduct”.
He had said the Nigerian constitution guaranteed a freedom of belief, adding that the cancellation would undermine the country’s progress.
But reacting to the position of Soyinka, the monarch said the decision to cancel the ceremony was to prevent crisis.
The Emir described the decision as “proactiveness”, saying it “is necessary to sustain peaceful co-existence in the society.”
Gambari in statement issued on Friday through his spokesperson, AbdulAzeez Arowona, said the decision was taken to avert situations that might lead to “reprisal attacks by sympathisers or promoters of such belief (Isese festival) in other parts of the country”.
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He added that the priestess had lived “harmoniously” in the town for years “until she decided to go beyond her boundaries”.
“In order to set records straight, Professor Wole Soyinka tends to be economical with facts, forgetting that war is nobody’s want,” the statement said.
“As he decided to settle with a factor that is capable of causing chaos in the society, if not quickly averted.
“This is to prevent crisis and not waiting until it erupt because the cost of managing crises cannot be equated to the wisdom or courage required to prevent it.
“Such proactiveness is necessary in order to sustain peaceful co-existence in the society. It is therefore surprising to hear that the position of Professor Soyinka is identical to someone who does not consider what might transpire if the programme was hosted.
“It may result to issues which could also lead to reprisal attacks by sympathisers or promoters of such belief (Isese festival) in other parts of the country.
“There are many non-indigenes in Kwara who are serving and retired, including business owners who have vowed to move their families to the state due to the peace and harmony enjoyed therein.
“Yeye Ajesikemi also confirmed that she has been living harmoniously in Ilorin for many years, not until she decided to go beyond her boundaries,” the statement partly read.