A former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed that monarchs in Yorubaland cannot promote one religion against the others.
Aregbesola said Yoruba traditional rulers must participate in all religious activities in their domain, adding that doing otherwise does not portray that monarch as a Yoruba king.
The immediate past Minister of Interior stated this on Saturday in Ifon, headquarters of Orolu Local Government, at the turbaning of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Alhaji Mahmud Adesina, as the Wazeerul Muslimeen of Ifon-Osun.
“Kings in Yorubaland don’t have a religion. There is no king in Yorubaland that can be a Muslim. Our kings know that. No monarch in Yorubaland can lay claim to one religion. Unless the monarch is not from Yorubaland.
“A Yoruba monarch must participate in all religions. When they are celebrating the Egugun festival, you will participate with them. You don’t have the power to deny them. That is how Almighty God created Yoruba. I want to appreciate the monarchs who are present here today. This is how a Yoruba monarch should behave. Whatever they are doing, whether Islam, Christianity or traditional religion, a Yoruba monarch should participate in it.”
Aregbesola urged the new Wazeerul of Ifon to embrace his new role with all sincerity.
Corroborating the former governor, the Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Oba Peter Akinyooye, said as custodians of traditions, monarchs are fathers of all religions.
Oba Akinyooye noted that irrespective of a monarch’s religion, he should embrace other religions and see himself as a father to all.
He said, “Our former governor has said it, and it is the truth. Kings don’t have a religion. Almighty God is the one overseeing the affairs of the world, and he knows better than us. I also study Arabic, and I know that I’m the king for everyone.”
The monarch advised the new Wazeerul to be careful in his new role, saying, “I want to urge you to be very careful in your new role. My prayer for you is that Almighty God will guide you in this new role.”
In his address, the newly turbaned Waziri advocated for the establishment of a Sharia Appeal Court in Nigeria.
“What we should agitate for is a Sharia Court of Appeal in total compliance with the provisions from sections 275, 276, and 277 of the constitution. The constitution has made provision for us to have a Sharia Court of Appeal in every state that requires it. The word ‘shall’ was used.
“Some states have Sharia panels, but this is just a place to settle some disputes within ourselves as Muslims, but there is no enforcement. The enforcement can only come through the establishment of the Sharia Court of Appeal as we have it already in our constitution.”
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