Renowned Ifa priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, on Tuesday, urged Nigerians to desist from blaming the Yoruba deity, Esu, for their misdeeds.
Elebuibon stated this during a peaceful rally tagged, “Esu Is Not Satan Walk” in Osogbo, Osun State, on Tuesday. The event was organised to address misconceptions about the Esu deity and to commemorate Esu Deity Day.
Participants at the rally, which kicked off at the Osogbo City Stadium, including members of the Concerned Isese Youth, Osun State chapter, marched through major parts of the state capital, singing praises of Esu and promoting awareness about its virtues.
The walk terminated at a temple in Oja Oba, Osogbo, where traditionalists and cultural enthusiasts gathered for speeches, chants, and other cultural displays.
Elebuibon while speaking at the rally, stressed the need to correct public misconceptions about Esu, often wrongly associated with evil.
The Ifa priest described Esu as a deity of discipline and justice, urging people to take responsibility for their actions instead of attributing their wrongdoings to the deity.
He said, “There is a lot of misinformation and misguided notions about Esu. We want the public to understand and embrace discipline, and to stop blaming Esu for their wrong actions.
“When people steal or commit offenses, they shift the blame to Esu. Esu, as a deity, has nothing to do with their wrongdoing. It is high time Nigerians stopped using Esu as a scapegoat for their actions.”
The Ifa priest also stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence among followers of different faiths, urging Nigerians to avoid violence and inflammatory remarks.
“We appeal to Nigerians to live peacefully and coexist harmoniously. We do not want violence in our society, and that is why we are making efforts like this. Let us desist from derogatory statements that could lead to chaos,” he added.
Traditionalists and cultural enthusiasts turned out in large numbers for the rally, advocating for a deeper understanding of Esu’s role in Yoruba spirituality and its virtues of justice and accountability.
