By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government has issued a blistering condemnation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly draping the sacred Egungun masquerade in party attire during the ongoing Odun Egungun Cultural Festival, branding the move a “degrading and divisive” act of political desperation.
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In a strongly worded statement released Thursday and signed by PDP Media Director Comr. Jinad Hammed Abiodun, the party accused APC elements of weaponizing Awori cultural heritage to sow discord rather than foster unity. “Masking our Egungun in APC colors is not just deception it’s a deliberate distortion of our shared identity for short-term gain,” the statement read.
“Culture belongs to the people, not to parties or agendas.” — PDP Ado-Odo/Ota
The Egungun, revered as a spiritual and ancestral symbol in Yoruba tradition, appeared in viral photos and videos during the festival’s parade on November 4, adorned in APC-branded green and white regalia a move PDP claims was orchestrated to “hijack” the event and sway voters ahead of the 2027 polls.
“The ongoing Egungun festival reflects our rich culture, originality, creativity, and community values. It should be celebrated and protected – not manipulated to score political points.”
PDP urged the Traditional rulers and public figures to uphold cultural neutrality. All stakeholders to treat heritage as a “bridge to bring us together,” not a “battlefield.” and APC to cease using sacred symbols for partisan gain.
APC LGA Chairman Hon. Adewale Temitope declined comment when contacted, saying only: “We respect culture and will respond at the right time.”
The Odun Egungun Cultural Festival, held every five years in Ota, celebrates Awori heritage with masquerades, dances, and communal feasts. This year’s edition, themed “Unity in Diversity,” has drawn thousands but now risks being overshadowed by partisan drama.
H.R.M Kabiyesi Onitetiku of Owode Ota Awori kingdom Oba W.A Ogungbayi one of the most respected traditional leader has remained neutral, with palace sources saying: “Egungun belongs to the gods and the people not politics.”
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According to Elder Afolabi Ogunleye “This is sacrilege. Egungun is not for APC or PDP.” PDP Youth Repricentative Hon ganiu Agbolaje Dada say “Let culture unite us, not divide us.”
As the festival continues through November 10, PDP vows to monitor further “abuses” and has petitioned the Ogun State Council of Obas for intervention.
DDNewsOnline