The Oluwo of Iwo Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi has denied asking the government of Osun State to support him with N20 million for his wedding.
A letter titled ‘Notification of wedding and request for financial support’ purportedly signed by the monarch had gone viral on social media.
The letter was allegedly sent to Governor Gboyega Oyetola through the office of the special adviser, ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs.
It read, “I have the instruction of His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, to notify you of the Oluwo’s decision to marry a princess from Kano Emirate to be precise Ado Bayero dynasty.”
The letter further said the union between two notable traditional institutions will require “huge expenses which necessitate support of state government financially even logistically.”
“Moreover the estimated amount for the event is above (N20,000,000) twenty million naira. His Excellency, Oba Akanbi relies on you for necessary consideration and approval on this request,” the letter added.
However, the Oluwo told BBC Pidgin that he never wrote such letter. Although, he confirmed he is planning to marry.
The monarch did not say if he would take a princess from Ado Bayero dynasty, but he said his wife-to-be is from Kano.
Oluwo and his former Jamaican wife Chanel Chin parted ways in December 2019.
