The Osun State Government has taken a decisive step by placing the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, under watch due to his recent inflammatory remarks. According to the government, the monarch's statements have the potential to ignite religious confrontation and inter-town conflicts, thereby disrupting communal peace. A letter from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, signed by Wale Alliyu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, was sent to the Oluwo, cautioning him over his activities.
The government expressed concern that the Oluwo's persistence in making crisis-inciting statements and engaging in disruptive conduct has reached a level that the administration can no longer ignore. The monarch's role as a traditional ruler is to preserve the cultural values and traditions of his people, and pursuing any reform that could create community violence and conflict will not be tolerated. The government emphasized that every citizen has the right to freedom of religious association, and as a traditional ruler, the Oluwo is bound by law to respect the rights of his people.
The letter, dated November 2026, and obtained by The PUNCH in Osogbo, also warned the Oluwo to stop attacking people of other faiths and fellow traditional rulers. The government noted that the monarch's activities are raising communal tension, sowing seeds of communal and religious discord, and increasingly discrediting the traditional values of his people and the Yoruba race. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in his capacity as Chairman, Osun State Council of Obas.
Although the letter did not specify the Oluwo's utterances or activities, the royal father has often accused other Yoruba monarchs of engaging in idolatry through his social media pages. On July 1, Oba Akanbi, in a video shared on his Facebook page, stated that traditional rites and seclusion for new royal fathers were not a good practice, declaring it an avenue to enslave and lure them into idolatry. This and other statements have sparked concerns about the potential for conflict.
The government has outlined specific cautionary notes to the Oluwo, including stopping further attacks on people of other faiths, refraining from attacks on fellow traditional rulers, and working to preserve the culture and tradition of his people. The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs will monitor the Oluwo's compliance with these cautionary notes, and the State Council of Obas is also directed to watch and act on recent developments within Iwo land.
When contacted for a reaction, the Press Secretary to the Oluwo, Alli Ibraheem, claimed that the monarch did not receive any letter from the state government. However, the government has confirmed that the letter was sent to the Oluwo and received by his secretary. The development has sparked concerns about the potential impact on communal peace and stability in Osun State.
The Oluwo's situation has sparked a wider conversation about the role of traditional rulers in promoting peace and stability in their communities. The government has emphasized that traditional rulers have a responsibility to respect the rights of their people and promote cultural values and traditions that foster unity and understanding. The outcome of this situation will be closely watched, as it has implications for the stability of Osun State and the wider Yoruba community.
Key points
- The Osun State Government has placed the Oluwo of Iwo under watch over inflammatory remarks that could trigger religious and inter-town conflicts.
- The government has cautioned the Oluwo to stop attacking people of other faiths and fellow traditional rulers.
- The Oluwo's situation has sparked concerns about the potential impact on communal peace and stability in Osun State.
