The Traditionalists in Ogun State, under the aegis of ‘Isese’ practitioners have cautioned the House of Assembly not to dabble into all traditional rites pertaining to Obaship stool in the state, and therefore should stop legislation on the “Obas, Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council law of Ogun State, Bill 2021, before it.
Penpushing reports that, the spokesman of the traditionalists ,Ifayemi Osunlabu, gave the caution note in reaction to the controversial proposed bill which seeks to regulate activities relating to Obaship and traditional institutions in the state.
The body while opposing the proposal warned that the bill, if passed, would eradicate all traditional rites pertaining to Obaship stool in the state, pointing out that whoever wanted to be a king must be ready to abide by customs and traditions guiding the stool.
Penpushing further reports that, the traditionalists emphasized that if the bill sails through and signed into law, it would constitute an infringement on the rights of the traditional worshippers and might promote chaos and pandemonium in the communities.
“Obaship institution is contained under the traditional institution, as such, anybody who voluntarily gives himself out to be crowned and installed as a king will immediately attain status of the “second in command to oracle” of their respective lands and domain’, they argued.
“Having agreed, accepted and concurred to fall in line and abide with rules, regulations, doctrines and practices of such tradition, such person should abide by the tradition,” the traditionalists posited.
The body called on the lawmakers, to note that the bill would create a deficiency in the traditional institution that would be impossible to correct, hence, they should not encourage chaos in the state and should drop the bill, .
Penpushing reports that, the traditionalists declared that the lawmakers had no business legislating over the installation and burial rites of traditional rulers, recalling that the bill was first introduced in 2020 but did not sail through because all traditionalists in the state rose and fought against it.
“We are not saying that they should not do whatever they want to do, but when it comes to Obaship, it belongs to traditional practitioners. The bill is absolutely not acceptable to us, because our traditional rulers are not politician,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State House of Assembly has concluded arrangements as at the time of filing this report to hold a public hearing on the proposed bill on Wednesday.
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