The Osogbo community in Osun State has announced a ban on political activities and party attire at all Eid praying grounds during this year’s celebrations.
The directive, communicated via a public service announcement on local radio stations and social media on Thursday, was signed by the Justice Moshood Adeigbe.
It also prohibits drummers from performing at the prayer grounds and forbids the display of political party posters.
According to the statement, the decision followed a stakeholders’ meeting that brought together the Chief Imam of Osogbo, representatives of security agencies, political parties, and other community groups.
The announcement reads: “All Muslims attending Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Osogbo must ensure that they do not wear clothes or caps bearing political party emblems, display political posters or engage in political discussions at the praying grounds. We have also placed a ban on drummers at the praying grounds.
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“This directive became necessary following a meeting involving the Chief Imam of Osogbo, security agencies, representatives of political parties and other groups under the leadership of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.”
The community warned that the ban applies to all Eid praying grounds within Osogbo and stated that anyone violating the rules would face arrest by security agents.
The move comes amid concerns that politicians and their supporters sometimes exploit large congregations at prayer grounds to promote candidates, especially during election periods, occasionally triggering conflicts and law-and-order breakdowns.
A similar incident occurred on June 28, 2023, when a dispute over seating arrangements at the Osogbo Eid praying ground led to a clash between aides of Ademola Adeleke and former Senate spokesperson Ajibola Basiru.
Basiru reportedly arrived for Eid-el-Kabir prayers alongside prominent indigenes of Osogbo and was asked to vacate a seat reserved for the governor, sparking the confrontation.