Traditionalists decry marginalization, seek recognition, inclusion in government

Adebayo Adenrele




Traditionalists in Nigeria have decried their marginalization by successive governments in the country, saying every religion should be accorded recognition and patronage by governments at all level.

Nigerian traditionalists, under the aegis of International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, decry the unconstitutional prominence and favour being
selectively accorded Christians and Muslims at the expense of traditional religions which is the oldest religions of the people.

In the letter signed by the ICIR President, Dr.Solagbade Popoola, the group alleged that government gave more attention to Islamic and Christians faiths to the detriment of traditional religions.

This, he said, contravenes the constitutional principles of secularism which provides for equity, justice and equality.

The ICIR argued that setting aside certain days as public holidays for christians and muslims to celebrate their special festivals such as Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Eid al-Fitr, Ramadan Eid al-Adha, Mawlid in a religiously diverse nation like Nigeria, contradict the secular character, spirit and letters of the constitution.

According to Popoola ” Section 10 of the constitution prohibits the establishment of a state religion and affirms the secular nature of the Nigerian state.

” Section 42 of the Nigeria’s constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion and states that no Nigerian can be discriminated against on the basis of their religion or belief”

The body called on the President Tinubu to, as matter of fairness and equity “establish a legal framework that recognizes and protects the rights of individuals to practice traditional religions. This should also protect sacred sites and access to such places.

” It should also allow religious ceremonies and rituals, and ensure that traditional religious practitioners are not subjected to discrimination or persecution. Nigeria Police and other Security Agencies should be authorized to arrest and prosecute anyone who tries to harass or intimidate any individual with the view preventing them from free exercise of their freedom of religion or right to affirm their individual belief whether in public or in private.

“Your Excellency, we draw your attention to Section 38 of the constitution which clearly states that every individual has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This includes the freedom to manifest and practice any religion or belief of one’s choice, either individually or in a community, subject to certain limitations to protect public safety, order, morality, or the rights of others.

“Bearing the above in mind, it may interest Your Excellency to know that traditional religion as well as its practitioners have continued to suffer persecutions and harassment in the hands of the two dorminant religions in Nigeria, which are Islam and Christianity. Successive administrations of government across all tiers have also continued to discriminate to a large extent against traditional religions.

“The case of intimidation and harassment of a practitioner of traditional religion by the royal envoy of the Emir of Ilorin is a recent and fresh example. Like messengers of death, some muslims leaders had besieged the home of an Osun Priestess and threatened her never to practice her faith within specified areas of Ilorin.

“Up till this moment, the Nigerian Police and the Kwara State Government are yet to take any reasonable action that could deter such illegality. Yet Section 42 of the Nigeria’s constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion and states that no Nigerian can be discriminated against on the basis of their religion or belief.

“This provision also emphasizes the equality of all citizens irrespective of their religious affiliation”

“it is arguable that the Federal Government and most States seem to be deliberate in their disregard to the aspect of Section 10 of the said constitution which requires them to maintain neutrality regarding religious matters: Section 10 prohibits the adoption of any religion as a state religion.

“Therefore, for declaring certain parts of Ilorin a muslim area, those Ilorin muslim leaders ought to have been decisively dealt with. Section 10 explicitly declares that government should not favor or endorse any particular religion. Rather, government is expected under the constitution to treat all religions equally and respect the religious diversity of its citizens.

“The dominance of Islam and Christianity in a secular State like Nigeria could be said to have been significantly influenced by the recognition given to them, above others, by Government. Why do both religions have Welfare and Pilgrimage Boards, funded from our common wealth, while other religions are held down in total surpression? The dominance of Islam and Christianity notwithstanding, traditional religions hold significance for many Nigerians.

“Therefore, it is very important to also factor our welfare along that of others so as to foster inclusiveness and ensure harmonious relationship”.

ICIR called on the President to act according to the dictate of the constitution by granting recognition to the traditional religion alongside other dominant ones.

“Grant all traditional religions AUGUST 20 as Public Holiday for the entire practitioners of the religions in Nigeria to observe as a day to worship God and also venerate their ancestors.

“Establish Welfare Board for practitioners of traditional religions in Nigeria in order to, among other things, ensure they have due access to heritage facilities and sites that have significant link with their faith and belief system.

“Include us in interfaith dialogue and other relevant platforms when formulating policies or making decisions in order to ensure that our perspectives are also taken into account”, the body demands.