Twelve chiefs in Iwo town have written a petition to Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola, demanding the removal of the Oluwo of Iwo Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi.
The chiefs who identified themselves as the Concerned Kingmakers of Iwoland say the Oluwo has been engaging in acts unbecoming of a traditional ruler.
PUNCH obtained the letter on Wednesday which was dated September 9.
According to the chiefs, the Oluwo, after his coronation in 2016, declared himself ‘emperor,’ a title they said was unknown to Iwo history, adding that in July same year, the royal father stirred another controversy when he declared that all Yoruba men were entitled to the stool of the Ooni of Ife.
They also said: “Oba Adewale Akanbi has penchant for fighting notable personalities within and outside Iwoland. At the moment, Oba Adewale fought Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Imran Adio, (a leading Islamic cleric) whom he removed as Otun Ajanasi. He insulted the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Orangun of Ila, and other prominent Obas in the state.”
The Oluwo’s press secretary Alli Ibrahim in a statement said the petition was started by an unnamed detractor.
“The detractor has gone beyond many times to discredit Oba Akanbi and failed serially. The recent was to divide the kingmakers, but it was dead on arrival. The achievements of Oluwo endeared him to Iwo (people) more. You can’t run down what your children may benefit (from) in the future,” he said.
In March, the Agbowu of Ogbaagba Oba Dhikirullahi Akinropo filed a suit against the Oluwo for allegedly assaulting him.
The Oluwo was consequently suspended from attending the Osun State Traditional Rulers Council meeting for six months.
Oba Akanbi initially refused to obey the council. He later yielded to its decision.
