Owu Day Begins Amidst Tight Security
From Toba Suleiman in Abeokuta
The fifth Owu Day Festival in Abeokuta, begins today amidst tight security to forestall a possible breakdown of law and order that may trail Monday's selection of Olowu.
President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to have cancelled all his official engagements to participate in the yearly festival, the state Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, also cancelled his trip to Athens, for the Olympic Games.
Briefing newsmen in Abeokuta, yesterday, on the level of preparation for the festival, Chairman Planning Committee and National President of the National Movement of the Owu People (NAMOP), Bashorun Doja Adewolu, said the action became imperative, following threat of disruption by some aggrieved Owu Kingmakers.
Some Owu kingmakers who felt displeased with the president over the suspension of last Monday's selection exercise for the new Olowu, had threatened to disrupt the festival in an apparent move to show their disaffection.
During a chat with pressmen, Owu kingmakers, led by Akogun of Owu, Chief Rufus Onifade, threatened that should Obasanjo insist on having his way over selection of the new monarch, tomorrow's Owu Day would not hold.
But Adewolu said all necessary security arrangements had been put in place, to ensure a hitch-free celebration.
Assisted by Chairman of the festival's security committee, Chief Thomas Ige, at the briefing, Adewolu said the State Police Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Efuntayo, had been briefed on the need to provide tight security at the festival ground.
While not disclosing the number of security personnel expected at the festival ground, Adewolu maintained that a reasonable number of police personnel, members of the State Security Service (SSS) and Civil Defence Corps have been put on alert.
He added that several Owu indigenes from America, London and other European countries have started arriving the country for the festival.
Ige, who said he has received
several phone calls to confirm the report of the purported cancellation of the festival, pointed out that if there is going to be any alteration in the programme, such must come from him.
"For over a week now, Obasanjo has informed all his security and other aids that every assignment which falls between August 13 and 15, must be put off, saying he wants to be at home to celebrate the festival with his people.
"Since last Sunday when the traditional council approved the programme with the consent of Obasanjo, at a meeting in his Abeokuta residence, he (Obasanjo) has marked it in his diary," Adewolu told reporters.
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