By Lukman Olabiyi
Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) yesterday urged the Kwara State Magistrate Court to release Yeye Osun, Efunsetan Abebi Aniwura Olorisha and Obalowu Jimoh. The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation renewed the call for the release of the duo for the second time in two weeks, insisting that those behind the crisis in Ilorin are agents of destruction. In a statement made available to the media by the Public Relation Officer, Olajide Odumosu,the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation stated the need to respect the secularity of the Nigerian nation, saying the Nigerian Constitution allows the citizens to practise religion of their choices without fear or threat. OFF statement came against the backdrop of the magistrate court order remanding Yeye Osun Efunsetan Abebi and Obalowu Jimoh in the custody at Oke-Kura Custodial Centre for 30 days, pending the hearing of the case against them. “We are raising our voice against the order of the magistrate court to remand Yeye Osun pending the hearing of their case. It is nothing but a travesty of justice and abuse of their rights as Nigerian citizens.
“It is unfortunate that at this time and age of civilization, some people can be using religion as a tool to abuse other people’s rights and stoke religious crisis.
“Nigeria is a secular nation. It is very unfortunate that some people could be so mean to use religion to create avoidable crisis in Ilorin.
“We are appealing to those behind the crisis not to set Yoruba land ablaze. They should desist from any act that could lead to religious crisis in the state”.
“Religion is a sensitive issue and we must respect the secularity of the Nigerian state. It is sacrosanct.
“I am appealing to all those that are involved in the lingering crisis in Ilorin to seek peace and religious tolerance as a way of addressing the crisis that had been engulfing the state in recent time.”