ICIR accuses BCOS chair of alleged discrimination over Ifa religion at interfaith event, urges Governor Makinde to investigate and restore fairness in Oyo State.PDP 2027 presidential ticket zoned to southern region
Traditional religion practitioners under the umbrella of the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) have accused the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Mrs. Dotun Olaitan, of alleged discrimination and public humiliation against their representative.
According to Daily News, the allegation was contained in a formal petition submitted to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and signed by ICIR’s counsel, Kunle Sobaloju.
Alleged incident during interfaith programme
The petition explained that on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) at BCOS jointly organised an interfaith prayer programme for staff of the organisation.
The event, according to ICIR, was designed to reflect religious inclusiveness by involving Christianity, Islam, and the Yoruba traditional religion.
ICIR stated that Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, described as a respected scholar and representative of Ifa religion, was invited to participate in the programme.
However, the group alleged that instead of supporting the spirit of religious harmony, Mrs. Olaitan objected to the participation of the traditional religion representative, which led to what they described as hostility and public embarrassment directed at him during the event.
Allegations of rights violation and abuse of office
The petition further claimed that Dr. Fakayode was subjected to humiliation solely because of his religious affiliation.
ICIR described the alleged action as an abuse of office and a violation of constitutional rights, arguing that it undermines peaceful religious coexistence in Oyo State.
The group also cited provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), particularly Sections 38 and 42, which guarantee freedom of religion and prohibit discrimination on religious grounds.
According to the petition, BCOS—as a government-owned media organisation—has a constitutional duty to remain neutral and treat all religious groups equally.
Demands to Governor Makinde
The petitioner urged Governor Makinde to immediately order a full investigation into the conduct of the BCOS board chair.
They also called for the withdrawal of all disciplinary measures allegedly taken against staff members who facilitated the participation of the traditional religion representative at the event.
ICIR stressed that failure to address the issue could threaten religious harmony and set a dangerous precedent within public institutions in the state.
The petition read, “On Tuesday, 2nd June, 2026, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) of BCOS jointly organized an Interfaith Prayer Programme for members of staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State. The event was conceived as an inclusive interfaith gathering involving representatives of the three major religious traditions practised by citizens of Oyo State and Nigeria, namely Christianity, Islam and the Yoruba Traditional Religion.
"In furtherance of this objective, Dr Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, PhD, JP, a respected scholar and representative of the Ifa Religion, was duly invited to participate in the programme. Rather than embrace the spirit of religious tolerance, inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence which the programme sought to promote, Mrs Dotun Olaitan allegedly took exception to the participation of the representative of the Traditional Religion. Our Client was informed that at the event, Dr Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode was subjected to open hostility, disrespect, discrimination and public humiliation solely because he represented the Ifa Traditional Religion.
"Section 38(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to manifest and propagate such religion or belief. Section 42 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the basis of religion. As a public institution established and funded by the Government of Oyo State, BCOS is under a constitutional obligation to maintain strict neutrality in matters of religion and to treat adherents of all faiths equally.
"In the circumstances, our Client respectfully urges Your Excellency to: Cause an immediate investigation to be conducted into the conduct of Mrs. Dotun Olaitan in relation to the events of 2nd June, 2026, and the subsequent disciplinary measures imposed on BCOS staff. Direct the withdrawal and expungement of all warning letters, queries and disciplinary sanctions issued to staff members solely for facilitating the participation of the representative of the Traditional Religion”.
BCOS Chair responds
Reacting to the allegations, Mrs. Dotun Olaitan denied any form of disrespect toward Dr. Fakayode.
Speaking in a telephone interview with Daily News, she explained that only Christian and Muslim clerics were initially part of the programme’s arrangement, as they were the standard participants usually engaged by BCOS.
She maintained that no formal request had been made for an Ifa priest and insisted that the inclusion was not part of the original plan.
Olaitan further stated that she later attended the event briefly to avoid misunderstanding, adding that she did not in any way humiliate or disrespect the traditional religion representative.
She also claimed that Dr. Fakayode regularly features on BCOS platforms, describing the allegations as false and insisting that the entire programme was recorded.
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