The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi has denied being suspended for six months by the Osun State Traditional Rulers’ Council.
The Oluwo was earlier today suspended for the alleged assault of a fellow monarch, the Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Dhikrulahi Akinropo, during a peace meeting last week in Osogbo, capital of Osun State.
The decision to suspend the traditional ruler was taken at an emergency meeting on Friday at the Osun State Government Secretariat, Abere, which was presided by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
A committee headed by the Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Adedotun to further investigate issues involving Oluwo and Obas in Iwo land was also set up by the council.
Reacting to the suspension in a statement, Oba Akanbi described the suspension as unprofessional, adding that such pronouncement must be backed with the approval of the state government.
His statement reads: “I was never suspended. The suspension reported by the media is just from the monthly Osun State Traditional Council meeting which is subject to the approval of the state government.
“It is sad to note that Osun State traditional council could be so political. They said I was rude to Alake, Ooni and Alaafin. And the same Ooni presided over the same meeting that purportedly pronounced my suspension from the Osun State traditional council meeting.
“If this should stand, many monarchs will not be encouraged to regard the council. It is just an audio pronouncement and an insult to the state government without consultation by the council
“We were invited to address the allegation that I punched another Oba. The AIG and the government officials presence came to the meeting as witnesses and gave account that I didn’t beat any Oba.
“Maybe because the truth from the witnesses didn’t go with their expectation, they hatched unfounded excuse to make an audio suspension”
“It is pure political and there are many things attached but we keep mute to see how far this will stand,” the statement added.
