The association calls for peace, responsible social media publications and respect for Yoruba cultural heritage amid concerns over allegations involving traditional institutions.
Traditional worshippers under the Isese Religious Association in Oyo town have called on stakeholders to promote peace, respect traditional rulers and protect Yoruba cultural identity amid concerns over public statements capable of creating tension among traditional institutions.
The worshippers also cautioned bloggers, traditionalists and other members of the public against circulating unverified allegations and inflammatory publications concerning the Alaafin of Oyo and other traditional rulers.
The Chairman of the Isese Worshippers Committee and Asiwaju Ask of Oyo, Chief Onifade Olanipekun, made the appeal during a press briefing at the Alaafin’s palace in Oyo town on Friday.
Olanipekun said traditional institutions remained important symbols of Yoruba history, identity, customs and collective heritage, stressing that they deserved respect and responsible public engagement even when opinions differed.
“Our kings and traditional institutions represent important aspects of our history, identity, customs, and collective heritage. They deserve responsible public engagement, constructive dialogue, and respect, even when opinions differ,” he said.
He warned that unverified allegations and inflammatory publications could create unnecessary divisions among Yoruba people and their institutions.
“The unity of Yoruba land is a shared responsibility. We must not allow unverified allegations, inflammatory publications, or the actions of a few individuals to create unnecessary divisions among our people and institutions,” Olanipekun added.
The chairman described the allegation against which the association was responding as misleading and a misrepresentation of the relationship between the Isese community and the Alaafin institution.
He reaffirmed the association’s support for the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, saying its commitment to the throne predated the monarch’s installation and was rooted in respect for Yoruba ancestral and spiritual heritage.
“The Isese community and Sàngó worshippers in Oyo town wish to state unequivocally that our support for the Alaafin’s throne did not begin today,” he said.
Olanipekun added that the throne held profound historical and spiritual significance within their religious and cultural understanding, making its preservation inseparable from efforts to protect the history, customs and identity of Oyo Kingdom for future generations.
He urged the public to distinguish between individual opinions and the official position of the Isese community, cautioning against attributing statements made by individuals on social media to the entire association.
The chairman also appealed to traditionalists, regardless of their location, to exercise restraint when commenting on the Alaafin, other traditional rulers and Yoruba cultural institutions.
“We believe promoting Isese requires knowledge, integrity, responsibility, and respect for our collective heritage. No individual should use the name of our religion to create unnecessary hostility or mislead the public about the position of the Isese community in Oyo,” he said.
Earlier, the Director of Administration to the Alaafin, Prince Adesola Sanda, who represented the monarch, called for unity and mutual understanding among traditional religious associations.
Sanda said the Isese philosophy emphasised Omoluabi, a Yoruba concept associated with good character, integrity and respect. He noted that traditional religious associations promoted these values through respect for elders and ancestral lineage.