The President of the Traditional Religion Worshippers’ Association of Osun State has claimed that the Ifa divination’s revelation indicates that the state’s August 15 governorship election would be largely peaceful and would not spill blood out of proportion, despite concerns about the ongoing violence.

Speaking to journalists in Osogbo yesterday, the association’s president, Dr. Oluseyi Atanda, said Ifa’s outcome suggests that a person with a large heart, who can tolerate insults and embarrassments would emerge as governor. “Ifa says Osun state shall be great. Osun shall rise and prosper in the hands of the incoming Governor, but who will emerge is that one who is large-hearted to accommodate insults and embarrassments,” Atanda said.

He said the Ifa corpus also advised prayers and supplications to Olodumare following reports of terrorists and bandits’ incursions into South-West Nigeria.

Atanda said Ifa believes divine help would protect Osun from being invaded by bandits or terrorists.

The association also said Ifa chastised royal fathers who publicly support one candidate over another, advising them to play their fatherly role to all so they remain relevant regardless of who wins.

He added that Ifa urged Kabiyesis (traditional custodians) to come together and invoke the ancestors of the land to counter invaders and protect Osun.

The group warned governorship candidates against turning the election into a do or die contest, saying such action could set Osun State ablaze.

He urged citizens of all faiths to pray for a peaceful election, stay united across religious and ethnic differences and come out to vote, saying prayers alone are not enough.

He also advised parents and guardians to properly discharge their responsibilities to children, warning that these are trying times. He warned the youths to avoid late-night gatherings.

Responding to questions on kidnapping, he urged governors to sign death warrants so as to serve as a deterrent to criminals. (The Sun, but headline reworked)