Osun government to Oluwo of Iwo: stop attacking other faiths and fellow monarchs

The Osun State Government has formally warned the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, to put an end to public remarks it says could set religious groups and neighbouring towns against one another.

The caution came in a letter from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary and delivered to the Oluwo's palace in Iwo. A copy was received by the palace secretary on Tuesday, 3 November.

Titled as cautionary notes on inflammatory rhetoric, the letter said statements credited to the monarch, which he has not denied, posed a threat to peace in the state. It reminded him that the constitution guarantees every Nigerian freedom of worship and association, and that a monarch has a duty to honour the religious choices of everyone in his domain.

The ministry told the Oluwo to end, with immediate effect, his attacks on followers of other religions, and to avoid comments about other traditional rulers that could lead to clashes between towns. He was also told to protect the culture and traditions his stool stands for, and to follow the state's chieftaincy laws and the decisions of the State Council of Obas.

The government said it will keep an eye on whether he complies, and has asked the State Council of Obas to monitor events in Iwoland and step in where necessary. It warned that it will not allow anyone to stir up religious or communal division in Osun.

The letter did not spell out which remarks prompted the warning. Oba Akanbi is known for outspoken comments. In 2025, his description of Ibadan's Oloolu masquerade tradition as criminal drew an angry response from Ibadan traditional leaders. There was no immediate reaction from the Oluwo's palace to the government's letter.