Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Following the economic crisis and insecurity bedeviling the nation, an Ifa Priest, Oba Isese Ifarotimi Balogun, has urged the Federal Government to consult Ifa to end the menace inorder to steer the affairs of the country properly.
He equally warned that it was high time the people included Ifa among other two religions, saying that consulting Ifa could help in choosing leaders wisely before voting them into any elective posts.
Balogun spoke at the 2024 Idi-Ori Festival – a special day the people of Idi-Ori in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State picked to worship their deity, Olumori, and pray at her shrine for blessings, progress as well as warding off evils from the land.
He said that until Ifa was introduced as one of the religions among Christianity and Islam to examine and look into the future of politicians vying for elective positions on whether such a person would do well if elected, the nation might still find it difficult to witness the progress the people yearn for.
Oba Isese divulged that politicians should use ifa or any other traditional gods such as Ogun to swear as they use the Bible and Quran when elected, insisting this would make them accountable and do the right things for fear of repercussions rather than using the two holy books to escape their sins.
He said, “We need to consult Ifa before choosing our president, because if one wants to become the president or occupy any elective posts they should consult Ifa or other traditional means to know if that person will rule the country well or use his elective position for the development of the country.
“If someone uses Ogun to swear before taking an elective position, he won’t betray the people. The government needs to add Ifa tradition to religious books like the Bible and Quran which are used to swear into an elective position. If this is done every politicians will do the right thing and our country will become better.”