Samuel Alonge
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The leadership of the Council of Traditionalists/ Herbalists of Nigeria has joined voices with Ogun cult members in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, in insisting that Lagos lawyer, Mr Ebenezer Tunde Omobobami, must accept to lead the Ogun worshippers in the community, or risk unpleasant consequences.
Ebenezer has objected to heading the Ogun cult members in succession to his late father, insisting that he is a born-again Christian.
Speaking with The Hope in the aftermath of the recently held National Arts Festival held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Oluwo General (General Commander) of the Council of Traditionalists/ Herbalists of Nigeria, South West zone, Chief Ismail Akiode Awikonko, said Ebenezer’s issue was discussed “when we went to Port Harcourt and I can only advise him to go and take the position of Araba or head of hunters of Ile-Oluji to escape the anger of the gods.”
“From what we gathered, the oracle specifically chose him as Araba of Ile-Oluji kingdom, to take his father’s position at the council. The oracle didn’t choose his brother; it (oracle) only replaced Gbenga (Ebenezer’s late sibling) when he died and we warned Gbenga but he didn’t listen; and while we are still in the process of consultation with whom to use to replace Gbenga among the three of them, Ebenezer and Akinwale fled.
“The monarch of Ile-Oluji, the Jegun had been informed but he has pleaded for some time. This is just total disobedience from the lawyer; so Christianity means he should disrespect his forefathers’ religion? High Chief Ogundayomi’s (Ebenezer’s father) efforts at propagating our traditions will not be allowed to die. So Ebenezer and his brothers should keep running. Our members are angry all over the place. So we shall give him and all his brothers till April as urged by the king. Then we can now show him the price of disobedience. So my brother, it’s a boiling issue in the traditional circle, even the annual Ogun festival in Ile-Oluji was affected,” Awikonko fumed.
Meanwhile, the herbalists’ leader has described the recently concluded NAFEST in Port Harcourt as a qualified success, thanking Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the state’s Ministry of Culture And Tourism for their supports.