Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The reported fracas allegedly masterminded by the Ege masquerade at Alafara Olubadan on Sunday, has been condemned by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who also called for a thorough investigation of the incident and appropriate sanction meted to the culprits.
According to reports, Alafara Olubadan was thrown into turmoil on Sunday as a result of an altercation between the Ege masquerade and some residents of the area, the cause of which could not be immediately ascertained.
Ova Balogun, in a press statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, expressed disappointment over the ugly incident, wondering what became his warning to both the masquerades’ adherents and members of public ahead the commencement of the annual festival.
“The reported fracas at Alafara Olubadan last Sunday, to say the least was unfortunate and unexpected. Shortly before the festival begun, I admonished all to play according to the rules. Aside the spiritual aspect of the festival, it is also a form of entertainment and one cannot but wonders which of the two aspects of the festival attracts violence.
“It simply means some people have other motives outside of the accepted norms as far as the festival is concerned and it is on the basis of this that I’m instructing the security agencies to fish out the culprits and deal with them accordingly. To before warned is to before harmed. Whoever is found to have been the aggressor should not be spared,” Olubadan said.
Oba Balogun also charged the masquerades’ handlers to make sure they respect the rights of the residents, bearing in mind that it is only when peace reigns that any festival could be successfully held. He stressed that he would not hesitate to place a ban on any masquerade that is found causing trouble for the populace.
The monarch also enjoined residents to respect the rights of the masquerades to avoid unnecessary clash, saying, “this becomes imperative because of the taboo associated with the appearance of ‘Oloolu’ masquerade which stipulates that women must not sight it.”
“The festival is just for a few weeks in a year, so, I plead that we tolerate and accommodate ourselves for those few weeks,” Oba Balogun added.
