A crisis is looming in Owo in Owo local government area over the celebration of this year’s Igogo festival.

Residents in the Ijebu-Owo community have cautioned Owo residents not to take the celebration of the festival to their domain.

According to them, their monarch, Oba Kofoworola Olatunbosun, Ojomo Aruliwo III, would not participate in the festival.

Igogo festival is an annual event celebrated in Owo to honour Queen Oronsen, a mythical wife of Renrengejen.

The stakeholders which included the Ojomo in-Council, Ijebu-Owo Progressive Union, and youths and women in Ijebu-Owo said they have written to the State Government and relevant security agencies on the need for caution in the celebration of the 2023 Igogo festival.

They said the letter was to alert the state government and the security agencies of looming security breaches that could happen on the alleged insistence of taking the celebration to Ijebu kingdom.

The statement said their monarch, Olijebu of Ijebu-Owo, remained resolute that the community would not participate in the festival in the interest of peaceful coexistence.

It said: “Ijebu-Owo is an autonomous community and one of the nine towns that make up the present day Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State and the Prescribed Authority over Ijebu-Owo is Oba (HRM) Major General Olatunbosun Kofoworola Oladoyinbo, the Aruliwo III, the Ojomo Oluda of Ijebu–Owo”.

“It is cogent to inform you that Igogo Festival is not alien to Ijebu-Owo but it is NOT mandatory for Ijebu-Owo town to partake in the celebration of Igogo festival as the traditional rites are limited to Owo town.

“The activities of Ijebu-Owo people in the celebration of Igogo festival are mere that of solidarity and friendship as the main traditional festival in Ijebu-Owo is Ogun festival from time immemorial,” the statement added.(The Nation)