Tension in Oyo as residents protest 23-day curfew for Alaafin’s traditional rites

There is palpable tension in the ancient town of Oyo as residents react to the 23-day curfew announced by Rotimi Osuntola, Chief of Staff to the newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade.

The curfew, which follows the commencement of Oro Ipebi, is part of the traditional rites leading up to the formal ascension of the Alaafin.

However, the timing of the curfew, which comes just six days into the Ramadan fast, has sparked criticism from Islamic scholars, legal practitioners, and academics. Some have described the decision as insensitive and an infringement on religious and human rights.

A former Amir of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Professor Taofiq Yekini, strongly condemned the move, calling it an “invitation to crisis.” He criticized the timing, stating that it disrupts essential religious activities during Ramadan.

“It is insensitive. The issue of the rites to the throne was delayed to the period of Ramadan when we knew that the period of Ramadan, morning and night, are usually characterised by activities. Then you are now imposing a curfew at the period when you know that the Muslims will be busy morning and night throughout this period, that is insensitivity. It is insensitivity on the part of the people that declared it and even the government for allowing such to stay.

So, if the Muslims now react, they will be blaming the Muslims. We want the general public to know that this is an invitation to crisis. That is what they are calling for,” he said.

Dr. Mikail Abdulsalam, a lecturer in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Ibadan, expressed concerns that the curfew could lead to religious conflict if not addressed. He emphasized that restricting movement in the name of traditional rites is a violation of human rights.

“The imposition of curfew is a violation of human rights. Declaring a curfew in the name of the appointment of a new king or traditional rites for the new king is a violation of human rights. It is quite unfortunate that no single human rights advocate has ever condemned this. If it is the Muslims that did this, some people will say it is anti-people.

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“Why will they tell people not to move between 8pm and 5am when some people may need urgent medical attention?

“That is a prime time for some people to do their businesses. So, declaring curfew in the name of traditional rites is a violation of human rights. We are civilized beyond all these things and it is barbaric. It is unconstitutional. You cannot say because someone wants to become king, people should not go out, who is he going to rule?

“Painfully, no one is condemning it, the security agencies, the state and local governments are not saying anything about it. Why is it that a single entity is declaring curfew when we have the government?

“Muslims need to go out and observe Solat Ishai and that will be affected, and if this is not taken seriously, it can lead to religious conflicts. I am at liberty to go out at that time to pray under the Nigerian constitution, so, I have never for once infringed on other people’s rights and you are telling me not to go, so, it is an infringement on my right; it may lead to religious conflicts, go and write it down. If it does not happen today, it will happen somewhere in Yoruba land if they continue like this.

“It is like gunpowder, it is going to blow one day. If people say that they want to go out and pray and you see some people saying they should arrest them, then it can lead to conflicts.” he said

Dr. Sulaiman Adewale Alagunfon, an Islamic scholar and Director of the Academy of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ibadan, described the situation as a test from Allah. He urged Muslims in Oyo to remain steadfast despite the restrictions.

“This situation serves as a test of our Islamic faith and reveals where the new king truly stands. For a purported ‘Muslim’ king to declare and enforce such anti-Islamic measures, citing ‘traditional rites’ during this sacred month, clearly highlights his true allegiance. As we have observed throughout his nomination, it has become evident that he does not genuinely adhere to Islam, even though he retains his Muslim name as a façade.

“This singular act demonstrates his opposition to Islam and the Muslim community. If he were truly observing the fast and fulfilling his Islamic obligations as a Muslim, he would understand the profound disrespect it shows to the feelings of Muslims to restrict movement during a month when the ‘nights’ hold great significance for our faith. He would recognize that night prayers, such as Tarawih, Tahajjud, and Laylat al-Qadr, as well as Sahur, are essential practices that require Muslims to move from one place to another during the nights of Ramadan for various reasons.

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“I urge the Muslims in Oyo Town to remain steadfast and committed to their acts of worship during this holy month of Ramadan. The imposition of a curfew should be viewed as a test from Allah, who wants to see how dedicated Muslims can be in challenging circumstances,” he stated.

An Ibadan-based lawyer, Barrister Abiodun Amole, condemned the curfew as unconstitutional and unjustifiable. He argued that the curfew violates Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of movement.

“Without mincing words, the declaration of a 23-day curfew in the ancient town of Oyo under the guise of performing Ipebi rites is a gross violation of the spirit and letter of Section of Section 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which guarantees citizens’ right to freedom of movement.

“The so-called curfew is extra-constitutional, unilateral, inconsiderate and unjustifiable to say the least. Section 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) expressly provides thus: ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom’.

“Furthermore, the purported curfew is also contrary to Article 13(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations on 10th December, 1948 and Article 12 (1) of the African Charter On Human and Peoples’ Rights. Article 13(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states thus: ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state’.

“In a similar vein, Article 12(1) of the African Charter On Human and Peoples’ Rights provides that: ‘Every individual shall have the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of a State provided he abides by the law’. Having regard to the above clear provisions of the grundnorm and the two treaties to which the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a signatory, the scenario currently playing out in Oyo town amounts to sheer illegality.

“Any traditional rites that infringe on citizens’ rights in any way or manner whatsoever cannot stand in a democratic society where the rule of law is sacrosanct.” Amole argued.

Dr. Bayonle Busari, a lecturer at Lead City University, warned that if the curfew is not reviewed, it may lead to a breakdown of law and order. He emphasized that the situation must be handled carefully to avoid rebellion.

“There is the need to handle the coronation rites with caution so as not to make living difficult for the subjects who Kabiyesi will rule over. There may be an obvious clash between tradition and the right to free movement and religion, which the constitution guarantees as inalienable.

“The period coincides with the fasting month of both Muslims and Christians who form the larger percentage of the indigenes and residents of the ancient town.

“Not only this, Oyo town is a corridor for those who commute between the north and south of the country, and the restriction will obviously curtail their movement.

“I think, in view of the prevailing time, the restriction could be reviewed in a way that will not lead to a probable rebellion and breakdown of law and order.”

Tension in Oyo as residents protest 23-day curfew for Alaafin’s traditional rites