The Osun State Government has placed the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, under watch over alleged inflammatory remarks capable of triggering religious crises and conflicts between communities and traditional rulers.
The government directed the monarch to stop making statements attacking people of other faiths and fellow traditional rulers, warning that his public utterances could threaten communal peace, religious tolerance and stability in the state.
The warning was contained in a letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, signed by Wale Alliyu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.
The correspondence, dated November 2026, was also sent to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in his capacity as Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas.
In the letter, the government expressed concern over what it described as repeated public pronouncements by Oba Akanbi, saying his activities were raising communal tension, deepening religious divisions and undermining Yoruba traditional values.
It warned that the development could provoke religious confrontation and inter-town disputes if left unchecked.
The administration also reminded the monarch that every citizen has a constitutional right to freedom of religion, stressing that traditional rulers are expected to respect the beliefs of their subjects while preserving the cultural heritage of their communities.
It directed him to comply with the state’s Chieftaincy Laws and the resolutions of the Council of Obas.
The letter 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.”
The government added that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs would monitor the monarch’s compliance, while the State Council of Obas was directed to watch developments in Iwo land.
The government’s intervention comes amid the Oluwo’s repeated criticism of traditional religious practices and the customs associated with the installation of Yoruba monarchs.
The royal father has frequently accused other traditional rulers of engaging in idolatry, a position that has placed his public comments at the centre of discussions on religious beliefs and the preservation of Yoruba traditions.
On July 1, Oba Akanbi, in a video shared on his Facebook page, criticised traditional rites and seclusion for newly installed monarchs, describing the practices as avenues for enslaving them and drawing them into idolatry.
The comments challenged long-standing customs observed by some Yoruba traditional institutions.
In another video posted on October 10, the monarch questioned the concept of an ancient crown, arguing that crowns derive their significance from the monarchs who wear them.
His remarks further reflected his criticism of established traditional practices and the customs upheld by fellow Yoruba rulers.
The latest warning is significant as it places the monarch’s public conduct under government monitoring, with the authorities seeking to prevent disagreements over religion and traditional customs from escalating into communal or inter-town confrontations.
The government did not, however, identify specific statements responsible for the caution in its letter.
When contacted for a reaction, the Oluwo’s Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, said the monarch had not received any letter from the Osun State Government.
