The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 has registered his displeasure over the spate of violence which attended the outing of Ege masquerade in Ibadan yesterday.
According to a press statement signed by the palace media director , Adeola Oloko, some lives were believed to have been lost and properties destroyed when street urchins hijacked the celebration of Ibadan customs and tradition and turned it into mayhem.
Olubadan wondered why despite several meetings and warning with the stakeholders before the egungun festival, some people still went around disobeying the law by inflicting violence on innocent citizens. Oba Adetunji who sympathised with the incident victims and their families promised that the perpetrators would not escape the full weight of the law.
Commenting on why he refused Ege masquerade from entering into the palace, Oba Adetunji stated that the palace officials were not informed that he was coming at the said date and time. Secondly, he does not belong to the category of masquerades that visit the palace of Olubadan and high chief’s homes.
He however said while the palace of Olubadan is open to all and sundry, including egungun, the rule is that the Olubadan and his chiefs must be informed in advance for adequate preparations to be put in place to receive them.
Meanwhile, Oloolu masquerade that is slated to visit the Olubadan on Tuesday had been advised to keep away for fear of reprisal attack. It would be recalled that Ege masquerade that is expected to come out once in three years is known for his large, uncontrollable crowd and attendant violence.
We were adequately informed that his supporters were believed to have unleashed violence even before reaching the palace at Idi Arere, so it is not true that the violence occurred because he was not allowed entry into the palace as being speculated in some quarters.
