Crisis In Osun over planned demolition of shrine

Traditional worshipers of Orisa-Oko in Osogbo, Osun State have warned against planned demolition of their shrine for the expansion of Osogbo Central Mosque.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo yesterday, leaders of Olorisa-Oko community in Osogbo alleged that the leadership of Osogbo Central Mosque was planning to demolish their family house at Oja-Oba area, which houses their shrine in order to give way for the expansion of the mosque.

The traditionalists however warned against fuelling of religious crisis by attempting to demolish their ancestral home saying no amount of money offered to them would make them succumb.

The family head, Pa Jimoh Iyanda while addressing newsmen appealed to the Ataoja of Osogbo land Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II to prevail upon the leadership of Osogbo Central Mosque not to embark on the demolition of their ancient buildings.

Pa Iyanda who explained that the land on which the central mosque was built belongs to the Olorisa Oko family said after giving that portion of land to the mosque, the family house is not ready to give out more portions of their land at any cost.

Pa Iyanda while debunking the insinuation that elders of Olorisa-Oko house had received a whooping sum of money from some Muslim leaders in the state maintained that the family was not ready to offend its god by allowing the planned demolition.