Osun govt directs Council of Obas to monitor Oluwo over controversial remarks
The Osun State government has issued a directive to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, prohibiting him from making public statements that disparage other religious groups and fellow traditional rulers. The government stated that any further actions that could incite communal tension will not be tolerated.
The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs communicated this directive in an official letter signed by Wale Alliyu, representing the Permanent Secretary. A copy of the correspondence was also sent to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who serves as the chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas.
According to the state government, the decision follows concerns over various public comments attributed to Oba Akanbi that are believed to have the potential to provoke religious discord among community members. Officials expressed that the monarch’s public engagements have contributed to communal strain and undermined the cultural values inherent in traditional institutions.
In its letter, the government emphasized the role of traditional leaders in fostering unity and preserving cultural customs, rather than promoting religious disputes. It reminded that all Nigerian citizens are constitutionally guaranteed the freedom of religion and that traditional rulers should respect the rights of residents in their areas.
The letter explicitly stated, “You cannot, and you must not, conduct yourself in any way that can foment religious crisis through serial attacks on people of other faiths.” It also cautioned against verbal conflicts among traditional rulers that may lead to disagreements between towns, potentially disrupting peaceful community relations.
Additionally, the government instructed the Oluwo to adhere to the state’s Chieftaincy Laws and the protocols established by the Osun State Council of Obas. The Ministry announced it would monitor the monarch’s compliance with these directives, and the Council of Obas was tasked with overseeing developments in Iwo.
The letter further accused Oba Akanbi of making remarks that could undermine the traditional values of Yoruba society and declared the government’s intolerance for actions that might incite violence.
Though the government did not specify the statements that prompted its action, Oba Akanbi has previously criticized certain traditional Yoruba religious practices and the conduct of other monarchs. In a Facebook video dated July 1, he condemned traditional rites and the rituals associated with the installation of new monarchs, calling them an avenue for idolatry. He also questioned the significance of ancient crowns in a video shared on October 10, suggesting that crowns were merely products of the monarchs who wore them.
In response to the allegations, the Oluwo’s Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, stated that the palace has not received any communication from the Osun State government, despite the government’s claim that its correspondence was delivered to the monarch’s secretary on Tuesday.
