Omoyele Sowore, an activist and presidential candidate, has protested the usage of 10-year-old princess Alimot Osunbunmi to carry the holy Arugba at today’s (August 7, 2026) Osun-Osogbo Festival in Osun State.
Alimot was forced to carry the sacred calabash as part of the festival’s custom during the yearly parade to the Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo, Osun State. Since she is the youngest person to have ever carried the sacred calabash, the organisers referred to her performance as “history in making.”
In March 2025, the young princess was chosen by traditional Ifa divination to take over as the Arugba. Osuntomi Ewatomi had held the esteemed role for almost 12 years before her marriage ended her term.
In response to the 10-year-old being used to carry the holy calabash, Sowore contended that she is still too young to give explicit assent.