The Osun State Government has placed the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, under monitoring over alleged inflammatory comments capable of triggering religious crises and clashes between communities.
The government also directed the monarch to stop making statements against people of other religious beliefs and fellow traditional rulers, warning that his conduct could undermine peace, unity and stability in the state.
The position was contained in a letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and signed by Wale Alliyu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.
The letter, dated November 4th 2026, was addressed to the monarch, with a copy sent to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in his capacity as Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas.
A copy of the correspondence, obtained by DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS on Wednesday, indicated that the state government was concerned about the monarch’s recent public statements, which it said could fuel religious confrontation and inter-town disputes.
According to the government, the development had reached a point where it could no longer overlook what it described as conduct capable of threatening public peace.
It reminded the monarch that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom to practise a religion of their choice, stressing that his position as a traditional ruler did not exempt him from respecting the rights of people with different religious beliefs.
The government further maintained that traditional institutions were primarily established to preserve the cultural heritage and customs of their communities, warning against reforms or actions that could provoke violence.
In the letter, the government expressed concern over several public statements attributed to the monarch, noting that they had allegedly heightened tensions and undermined traditional values in Iwo and the wider Yoruba society.
It stated, “You cannot, and you must not, conduct yourself in any way that can foment religious crisis through serial attacks on people of other faiths.
Your Royal Majesty is also invited to note that just as the traditional stool should not be used to incite religious war, its occupants should also be mindful not to erode the traditional values, culture and tradition of the society over which they preside.”
The government consequently issued six directives to the monarch, including an immediate cessation of attacks on people of other faiths and restraint from making further comments against fellow traditional rulers to prevent possible inter-town confrontations.
It also urged him to protect the cultural heritage of his people and conduct himself in accordance with the provisions of the state’s Chieftaincy Laws and resolutions of the State Council of Obas.
The ministry disclosed that it would monitor the monarch’s compliance with the directives, while the State Council of Obas was also instructed to monitor developments in Iwo land and take appropriate action.
Although the government did not identify the specific statements that prompted its intervention, Oba Akanbi has repeatedly criticised the religious practices of some Yoruba traditional rulers in videos shared on his social media platforms.
In a video posted on July 1, the monarch questioned traditional rites and seclusion ceremonies performed for newly installed kings, describing the practices as means of enslaving monarchs and drawing them into idolatry
Similarly, in another video shared on October 10, he dismissed the idea of an ancient crown, arguing that crowns derived their significance from the monarchs who wore them.
However, the monarch’s Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, denied receiving any correspondence from the state government when contacted by telephone for his reaction.
