About 30 Communities from Iwo, Olaoluwa and Ayedire local government areas of Osun state Monday, protested against the action of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, who was alleged to have beaten the Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Oba Dhikrulahi Akinropo, last week.
The communities carried placards of various inscription such as “Oluwo is a Disgrace to the Traditional Council of Obas”, “Oluwo Must Be Brought to Book”, “Justice Must Prevail”, “Suspend Rasheed Akanbi Now”, among others.
A former member of the state Assembly, Hon Sikiru Araoye and other community chiefs in the three local government from Osun West Senatorial District, led the protest to the government secretariat, Abere, Osogbo.
Addressing news men, Araoye said, “Agbowu of Ogbaagba was brutally dealt with by Oluwo in the presence of AIG and other constituted authorities. It was a peace meeting called by the AIG.
“Our people have been waiting for government to take a proactive action on the issue. For a first class Oba to turn himself to a boxer, we don’t want to believe that this government is having a hand in it. We don’t want to believe that government is masterminding it.
“We don’t want to contribute to the mayhem that has been brewing for a long time in Osun state. We want the state government under the watch of Oyetola to swing into action and caution Oluwo from this dastard and thurgery attitude. It is a criminal attitude.
“The same government that gave Agbowu the staff of office gave Oluwo the staff of office. He should be brought to book.
The state government described the issue as “unfortunate and avoidable”, saying “the government is aware that the State Traditional Council is looking into the matter.
The government in a statement signed on Monday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, stated that traditional rulers ought to protect and preserve the sacredness of traditional institutions.
The government stated that situations where royal fathers engage in public display of temperament do not edify the revered stools of our forebears.
“We believe in the dignity of traditional stools and sacredness of royalty. We will continue to preach peace among all our citizens and harmonious relationship among our traditional rulers.
“Government is aware that the State Council of Traditional Rulers has stepped into the matter and we are confident that the council will take appropriate steps to preserve peaceful coexistence among the Obas in the state. We do not want any crisis in any part of the state.
