The Quran and a Ogún were used to swear in supervisors and advisers of the Ikere-Ekiti LGA in the state of Ekiti.
In traditional African religion, Ògún is one of the deities, which is often referred to as the “god of iron.”
The swearing-in ceremony took place on May 2 at the conference hall of the office of Olu Adamolekun, chairman of Ikere-Ekiti LGA.
The oath of office was administered on the appointees by Adamolekun.
In a video making the rounds on social media, the appointees could be seen taking turns to wield a cutlass (a totem for the god of iron) in one hand and a Quran in the other.
While administering the oath of office, Adamolekun asked the appointees to repeat the following in Yoruba: “From today, I will be loyal and truthful to BAO (Ekiti state governor), and Monisade (deputy governor), APC and its leaders.”
“I will take instructions from the leaders. If I refuse to do so, Ogun or Quran should kill me. For this, I will be truthful,” they said.
In Nigeria, public office holders usually swear an oath of office using the Quran or Bible, while pledging allegiance to the constitution.
In this instance, however, the appointees were asked to swear allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leaders in Ekiti — while invoking a deity.
LIST OF THE APPOINTEES
SUPERVISORS
1. Femi Ayeni — Are/Aramomi/Ayetoro Ward
2. Olu Ogundipe — Okeruku Ward
3. ldowu Ojo Omowumi — Atiba/Aafin Ward
4. Ajayi Mathew Oladele — Ogbonjana Ward
ADVISERS
1. Sola Alonge — Odose Ward
2. Boluwaji Daramola — llapetu/ljao Ward
3. Toyin Owolabi — Agbado/Oyo Ward
4. Akojiyan Olamilekan Rasaq — Oke Osun Ward
5. Filani Motunrayo — Afao/Kajola Ward