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Kingmakers in Iwoland have petitioned Osun State governor , Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, seeking for the removal of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi.
The letter titled ‘Petition for removal of Oba Adewale Abdulrasheed Akanbi (Oluwo of Iwo) from the throne of Iwoland, dated September 9, 2020, and addressed to the governor was signed by thirteen kingmakers led by Chief Raufu Olorunlampe. A copy of the letter was made available to journalists in Osogbo, the state capital on Wednesday.
They said that Oba Akanbi has been on six months suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas since February, over alleged fight with the Agboowu of Ogbaagba at a peace meeting presided over by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone XI.
They also alleged in the letter that the monarch’s actions since his ascension to the throne have been against the culture and heritage of the Yoruba land, noting that Oba Akanbi as an ex-convict unfit for the throne.
The letter read in part: “It is regrettable to inform your Excellency that the present Oluwo of Iwo (Oba Adewale AbdulRasheed Akanbi) is not supposed to continue to occupy the throne as Oluwo of Iwo.
“Oba Akanbi was an ex-convict, he removed an 800-year-old deity from his palace, made derogatory remarks about the Yoruba god of iron, fighting notable personalities, he claimed that Oluwo always appoints Olubadan, assumption of the functions of Chief Imam during Eid-Fitri, claiming that he is entitled to be Ooni of Ife among others.
“We sincerely urge your excellency to do the needful by removing Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi from the throne as Oluwo of Iwo before it is too late. We sincerely believe that history would be kind to your excellency and us.”
Reacting, Oba Akanbi through his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, said the petition is a conspiracy of a detractor who contested the stool with him (Oluwo) and still fighting to ascend the throne.
He stated that all the allegations against him are baseless and lies.
“We want to state it categorically that detractors who contested the stool with His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi is making every possible attempt to derail the compassionate Oluwo from the glory his reign has credited to the ancient stool of Iwo.
“So much good things are happenings to Iwo under Telu. Why must it be him they thought?
“It’s a conspiracy of a detractor who has been fighting so hard to become the Oluwo of Iwo. The detractor has tried many times to discredit Oba Akanbi and failed serially. The recent was to divide the kingmakers but is was dead on arrival. Achievements of Oluwo endeared him to Iwo more. You can’t run down what your children may benefit in the future.
Oba Akanbi is a king of positive marks. He is a market detractors are trying to de-market.”