The Osun State Government’s decision to caution the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, over his alleged inflammatory comments was partly driven by fears that his lingering disagreement with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, could trigger communal violence between residents of the two towns.
According to a report by Saturday PUNCH, a source in Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration said the government was concerned that the monarch’s remarks against traditional worshippers could provoke attacks and retaliatory violence involving indigenes of Iwo and Ile-Ife.
The source, a special adviser to the governor who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the warning was intended to prevent a breakdown of law and order, insisting that the government had no intention of punishing or removing the Oluwo from the throne.
The state government, in a letter with reference number CD.17/1/VOL.VIII/377, accused the monarch of making statements and engaging in activities capable of aggravating communal and religious divisions.
It consequently urged him to stop disparaging adherents of other faiths and fellow traditional rulers.
The letter warned that such conduct could undermine peace, unity and stability in the state.
The governor’s aide explained that officials feared attacks on Iwo indigenes in Ile-Ife could provoke reprisals, potentially escalating into a wider communal crisis.
The aide added that the government had considered issuing a formal query to the monarch but settled for a cautionary letter, expressing confidence that he would take the advice.
Meanwhile, efforts were reportedly underway by government officials and community stakeholders to ease tensions between the two royal fathers.
The National President of Jama’at Ta’awunil Muslimeen, Daood Molaasan, also linked the controversy to the longstanding disagreement between the monarchs, saying the Oluwo’s opposition to traditional religious practices had unsettled some traditional rulers.
He disclosed that his organisation had been approached by a member of Adeleke’s cabinet from Iwo, who appealed for the withdrawal of a lawsuit filed against the governor and the state government over the warning letter.
Molaasan said the appeal followed a meeting held in Iwo on Monday night, after which his group advised its lawyers to suspend action on the suit, marked FHC/OS/CS/205/2026, at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
However, the Ooni’s Private Secretary, Yusuf Adetoyese, said the palace was not consulted before the government issued the letter, although it received a copy in the Ooni’s capacity as Permanent Chairman of the Osun State Traditional Council.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dosu Babatunde, maintained that the government stood by the warning, stressing that no citizen should attack people on account of their religious beliefs.
The Oluwo, speaking at the Odun Olodumare festival in Iwo, denied being opposed to Yoruba culture and traditions, insisting that he would continue to promote them.
He urged the government to consult traditional rulers before issuing official communications concerning cultural matters, while another government official said the monarch’s recent conduct suggested he was already responding to the caution.
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