The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has found humor in the six months suspension placed on him by the Osun State Traditional Rulers’ Council, dismissing it as mere talk with no real implications.
During a meeting chaired by the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the council suspended the Oluwo of Iwo for his alleged involvement in an altercation with the Agbowu of Ogbagbaa, Oba Dhirulahi Akinropo, during a mediation session to resolve a land dispute among monarchs on February 14th. Read here.
Responding to reports of the suspension, the Oluwo shared a video from his palace on his IG page, affirming his continued presence on the throne. He wrote
Oba (Dr) Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu remains the sole Oluwo of Iwoland.
He has not been suspended as Oluwo of Iwoland.
The Osun State Traditional Council has merely recommended his suspension from council meetings and activities for six months, citing his conduct (excessive flamboyance, stylishness, advocacy for human rights, and swag) and this is still pending approval from the Governor
This clarification is crucial for public awareness!
In another post, he mentioned that the suspension is ”only from the monthly council meeting and is subject to the state government’s approval.
Investigation: Oluwo Didn’t Punch Another King, Witnesses Reveal
The Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers put to rest the investigation into the alleged physical altercation involving the Oluwo of Iwoland, HIM Oba (Dr.) Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, as the main witnesses including the AIG zone II and government officials confirmed that there was no physical altercation, only a verbal dispute.
The emergency meeting was convened to probe the events at zone II where a peace meeting was held to address issues related to frequent land sales in Iwoland. After hearing the witnesses’ testimonies at the traditional council meeting, it was established that there was no physical altercation, only a verbal confrontation.
It is astonishing that he was accused of misconduct not in harmony with some monarchs. We were gathered to address the allegation of assaulting another king. How does my behavior influence another monarch? Am I obliged to conform to the standards of other monarchs?
The pronouncement itself is contingent on the state government’s approval. The council does not possess the constitutional authority to suspend another king from its monthly meeting without the state government’s endorsement.
Oluwo was never suspended. The suspension reported in the media is solely from the monthly council meeting and awaits the state government’s approval.
All Osun State monarchs were summoned to address the allegation that Oluwo assaulted another Oba. The AIG and government officials attended as witnesses and testified that I did not assault any Oba. Oluwo was exonerated. To our surprise, another issue was raised against me, suggesting that my behavior towards certain Obas was unfriendly and could warrant a recommendation for suspension from the monthly meeting.