The Traditional Religion Worshippers Association in Osun on Tuesday urged the state government to caution the Oluwo of Iwoland, Abdulrasheed Akanbi, to stop making disparaging comments against their deities.
The king on Tuesday had a big celebration tagged odun Olodumare, the festival of God in his town Iwo, Osun state.
Its President, Oluseyi Atanda, made the plea at a news conference on Tuesday in
Osogbo.
Mr. Atanda, on behalf of the worshippers, requested Mr. Akanbi to tender a public
apology to members of the association for always speaking against their
deities.
He said the association would embark on a peaceful protest in November for the removal of the traditional ruler if he refused to tender the apology.
Mr. Atanda said: ”Our association is known to respect, honour and work closely
with the traditional rulers, more than any other group of people in the
society.
”But, we have no other choice than to come out publicly to call for the orderly
manner of the Oluwo because of his actions.
“His installation as Oba ought to be advantageous to Iwo and the entire
Yorubaland.
“We, therefore, request that Oba Akanbi tender a public apology for his unguarded
utterances against our ‘Orisa’ and desist from causing a religious crisis in the
state,” he said.
According to him, the traditional ruler has been conducting himself in a manner
that could cause a breach of peace in the state.
Mr. Atanda also called on the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to call the
traditional ruler to order for the sake of peace.
Reacting, Alli Ibrahim, the chief press secretary to Mr. Akanbi, told the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the allegation of the association was new to him.
“It is very new to me, but I think there is only one God, and in the process of
promoting that God, I don’t see any crime, mistake, or discussion in promoting
one God,” said Mr. Ibrahim.
“If anyone feels offended, I think they can go ahead with whatever they want to
do.” (NAN)
