‘Govt has marginalised traditionalists’

THE National President, United Herbal Practitioner, Prince Sakariyau Oyedeji, has called on the Federal Government to accord due recognition to traditional worshippers in the country in order to curb the incessant criminal activities.

Oyedeji, made the call in Osogbo, Osun State, at the weekend, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune.

He said that government had marginalised traditionalists for a long time by not giving them role in the constitution.

He said: “It is unfortunate that government consider us as clueless people who cannot differentiate between right and wrong or doesn’t know anything about governance.

“If government allow us to discharge our duty accrodingly,  we would have  addressed the issue of insecurity and other menace  facing the entire country.

“We traditionalists have the belief in what we are worshipping and we are ready to assist the government if we were invited  and gave us our due recognition.

“Fighting insecurity is beyond carrying physical weapons. It has to be tackled spiritually. We have been expecting government to invite us and discuss on how to put a stop to the insecurity issues,  especially in the Northern part of the country.

“Government should give us adequate recognition in their governance. We traditionalists can do a lot for the country in terms of development and protection of our people.

“The security agents alone cannot combat insecurity. We can work together and through our collaboration we will subdue the power of insurgents.”