Renowned Ifa priest, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, has admonished Nigerians to desist from blaming the Yoruba deity, Esu, for their misdeeds.
Elebuibon made the call during a peaceful rally tagged “Esu Is Not Satan Walk” in Osogbo, Osun State, on Tuesday. The event was organised to address misconceptions about the Esu deity and to commemorate Esu Deity Day.
The rally, which commenced at Osogbo City Stadium, saw participants—including members of the Concerned Isese Youth, Osun State chapter—march through major parts of the state capital, singing praises of Esu and promoting awareness about its virtues.
The walk concluded at a temple in Oja Oba, Osogbo, where traditionalists and cultural enthusiasts gathered for speeches, chants, and other cultural displays.
Speaking at the rally, Elebuibon emphasized the need to correct public misconceptions about Esu, often wrongly associated with evil.
He described Esu as a deity of discipline and justice, urging people to take responsibility for their actions instead of attributing their wrongdoings to the deity.
“There is a lot of misinformation and misguided notions about Esu. We want the public to understand and embrace discipline, and to stop blaming Esu for their wrong actions,” he said.
“When people steal or commit offenses, they shift the blame to Esu. Esu, as a deity, has nothing to do with their wrongdoing. It is high time Nigerians stopped using Esu as a scapegoat for their actions.”
Elebuibon also stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence among followers of different faiths, urging Nigerians to avoid violence and inflammatory remarks.
“We appeal to Nigerians to live peacefully and coexist harmoniously. We do not want violence in our society, and that is why we are making efforts like this. Let us desist from derogatory statements that could lead to chaos,” he added.
The event drew a large turnout of traditionalists and cultural enthusiasts, all advocating for a deeper understanding of Esu’s role in Yoruba spirituality and its virtues of justice and accountability.
