The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, has given reasons why he refused Ege masquerade from entering into the palace.
According to the monarch, who expressed displeasure over the violence that attended the procession of Ege masquerade in Ibadan on Monday, said that palace officials were not informed that the masquerade was coming at the said date and time.
He added that the masquerade does not belong to the category of masquerades that visit the palace of Olubadan and high chief’s homes.
Unconfirmed sources claim some lives were lost, while properties were also destroyed when street urchins hijacked the celebration of Ibadan procession and turned it into mayhem.
In a statement issued by the monarch’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Adeola Oloko, 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 victims and their families promised that the perpetrators would not escape the full weight of the law.
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.
Furthermore, the statement said that the Oloolu masquerade that is slated to visit the Olubadan on Tuesday (yesterday) was advised to keep away for fear of reprisal attack.
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,” the statement added.
