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Osun Govt Warns Oluwo Over Alleged Religious Incitement, Threatens Action
Osun Govt Warns Oluwo Over Alleged Religious Incitement, Threatens Action
Osun Government cautions Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, over alleged inflammatory statements capable of triggering religious crises and inter-town conflicts.
State government accuses the monarch of making public utterances capable of heightening communal tension, undermining interfaith relations and threatening peace in Iwoland.
Government issues six cautionary directives, including orders to stop alleged attacks on people of other faiths and fellow traditional rulers.
Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs warns that it will monitor compliance, while the State Council of Obas is directed to monitor developments in Iwoland.
November 5, () – The Osun State Government has issued a stern warning to the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, over alleged inflammatory statements capable of triggering religious crises and inter-town conflicts, directing the monarch to desist from conduct capable of threatening peace and communal harmony.
The state government, in a letter dated November 2026, accused the traditional ruler of making public statements that could heighten communal tensions, promote religious discord and undermine the values and responsibilities associated with the traditional institution.
The letter, with reference number CD.17/1/VOL.VIII/377, was signed by Wale Alliyu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
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Addressed to the Oluwo Palace, the correspondence, a copy of which was received by the monarch’s secretary on November 3, said the administration had observed with concern recent widely publicised statements attributed to the traditional ruler.
The government described the alleged conduct as a serious threat to the peace, unity and stability of Osun State and Iwoland, warning that the traditional institution must not become a platform for promoting religious hostility or provoking confrontation between communities.
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It said the persistence of what it described as crisis-inducing activities and conduct inconsistent with peaceful interfaith coexistence had reached a point the administration could no longer ignore.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke
Constitutional Rights And Religious Freedom
Emphasising the constitutional rights of Nigerians to freedom of religion, the government reminded the monarch that his position as a traditional ruler imposed an obligation to respect the religious beliefs and practices of his subjects.
“The administration wants to put it on record that within the context of the Nigerian Constitution, every citizen has a right to freedom of religious association”, the letter read.
The government stressed that the Oluwo had no justification for conducting himself in a manner capable of undermining the constitutional rights of residents who belonged to different religious groups.
“You cannot, and you must not conduct yourself in any way that can foment religious crisis through serial attacks on people of other faiths,” it warned.
The letter further stated that the traditional stool should not be used to incite religious conflict, adding that no responsible administration would tolerate the pursuit of reforms capable of provoking violence within communities.
The government also expressed concern over what it described as several public utterances credited to the monarch, noting that the statements had not been denied.
Six Cautionary Directives
Following its concerns, the state government issued six cautionary notes to the Oluwo, explaining that the directives were intended to prevent a possible outbreak of religious and inter-town conflicts.
The monarch was directed to immediately stop further attacks on people of other faiths and refrain from conduct capable of generating religious hostility.
He was also cautioned against further attacks on fellow traditional rulers, with the government warning that such exchanges could provoke confrontation between communities and undermine relations among traditional institutions.
The administration further directed him to protect and preserve the culture and traditions of Iwoland, which the traditional stool represents.
It also urged the monarch to conduct himself in accordance with established norms and regulations governing traditional institutions, particularly the provisions of the state’s Chieftaincy Laws and resolutions of the State Council of Obas.
The government said the directives were necessary to prevent the escalation of tensions and safeguard peaceful coexistence among residents of the state.
Oluwo of Iwo Oba Adbdulrasheed Akanbi
State Council Of Obas To Monitor Iwoland
The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs said it would closely monitor the Oluwo’s compliance with the cautionary directives.
It also disclosed that the State Council of Obas had been directed to monitor developments in Iwoland and respond appropriately to issues arising from the situation.m
The intervention places the conduct of the traditional ruler under the attention of the state government and the council responsible for overseeing matters relating to traditional institutions.
The government reiterated the importance of respecting constitutional rights, preserving traditional values and maintaining peaceful relations among religious groups and communities across Osun State.
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