The Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN) has called on the Federal and the state governments as well as the Nigerian Police to intervene over constant harassments and extortion of their members by purported representatives of the Palace of Ooni of Ife over their refusal to pay the traditional Olojo Festival levy.
A press release signed by the Coordinator and Secretary of APTAN, Ile-Ife Branch, Comrade Saidi Adegoke and Comrade Monsur Jimoh said the incident which occurred at the Ojatuntun Otisese Weekly Market on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, witnessed some men who claimed to represent the Palace of the Ooni of Ife stormed the market and forcefully seized goods belonging to APTAN members.
Identified among the thugs who stormed the market are Mr. Efunwole Kola, Mr. Sogo Olagbaju, and Mr. Hezekiah Agunbiade.
The seized items included: monique with cloth; hundreds of liters of vegetable oil; and several other items from innocent poor traders.
According to the Coordinator, “These goods were taken because our members declined to pay a levy tied to the Olojo Festival. This is not an isolated event. For over five years, our members have been subjected to harassments, intimidation, and seizure of goods under the guise of compulsory levies for traditional festivals. Goods taken in previous years have never been returned, and this yearly oppression continues despite our repeated appeals.
“Our members are largely Muslims. We have consistently paid all other legitimate fees and levies required of us. However, making contributions to activities rooted in idolatry and traditional religious practices (Isese) is forbidden by our faith. The Qur’an says: “Say: Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Qur’an 6:162).
“Therefore, compelling Muslims to fund traditional religious practices is a direct violation of our freedom of conscience and our religious rights.”
APTAN insists that the act also stands in violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which in Section 38(1) guarantees that:
“Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”
Adegoke described forcing Muslims to pay levies that contradict their faith as unacceptable, saying these men and their sponsors are breaching the very foundation of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
He maintained that Section 44(1) protects citizens from compulsory acquisition of their property except by law; stressing that forceful seizure of their members’ goods is “unlawful, unconstitutional, and amounts to economic assault”.
APTAN Coordinator who similarly called for the intervention of the President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, the Sultan of Sokoto however asserted that APTAN and its members hold His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in the highest esteem, saying they believe strongly that the Ooni was not aware of these nefarious acts, which they suspect were being carried out under the influence of certain High Chiefs and the Babaloja, without the knowledge of the Palace.
He regretted that their pleas during a courtesy visit to the same Babaloja, Chief Jimoh Olaoluwa Odeyemi of Odo-Ogbe few weeks ago, to ensure their members are not compelled to fund Isese activities were ignored and fell on deaf ears.
“We are indigenes of Ile-Ife, we are contributors to Ile-Ife growth. Over the years, APTAN has facilitated the introduction of tricycles into Ile-Ife through ALBARAKA Microfinance Bank, trained over 100 artisans at no cost, organised public enlightenment lectures, carried out periodic community services, and recently established a Skill Acquisition Centre for artisans. On October 26, 2025, we shall also host a free Medical Caravan for the people of Ile-Ife, so why are these people so heartless?
“Given these contributions, it is heartbreaking that our members are being harassed and stripped of their goods simply because they refused to compromise their faith. This oppression, if unchecked, will not only impoverish families but also sow discord within the peaceful fabric of Ile-Ife.
“We therefore passionately appeal to His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, to intervene urgently and put an end to this shameful practice. We believe these act diminishes the dignity of the throne and misrepresents the noble values of justice and fairness for which the Ooni stands.
“We also call on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), and all Muslim bodies nationwide to come to our aid. Our cry is for protection of our constitutional and Islamic rights.”.
Comrade Adegoke who urged journalists, civil society organisations, and all lovers of justice to intervene come to their aid, asked the traditionalists to stop the harassment of their members, return seized goods, and respect their rights to practice their religion without coercion.
Signed:
Comrade Saidi Adegoke (Coordinator ) 09062207998