Oluwo of Iwoland issues stern warning to traditional religion devotees

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Adewale Akanbi, Telu 1, has issued a firm statement regarding the practice of traditional religion among his subjects.

The declaration was made public in a video released on Thursday by his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem.

In the video obtained by WESTERN POST, Oba Akanbi emphasized his role as the custodian of Yoruba tradition and culture, stating, “I am the custodian of tradition and culture. I am in the position to defend our tradition and culture. I am not to defend your religion; I am not on this stool to defend Ifa idol worshipping; it is a religion.”

The monarch made it clear that while he does not oppose individuals worshipping their chosen deities, he is against associating idol worship with Yoruba culture.

“Idol worshipping is universal. I am against you saying idol worshipping is a religion of Yoruba. Idol worshipping is not part of Yoruba tradition and culture; anybody that says this has me to fight with,” Oba Akanbi asserted.

He further elaborated that conflating idol worship with Yoruba tradition is detrimental to the culture.

“We are proud of our tradition and culture. What is destroying our tradition and culture is lumping idol worshipping to it.

“dol worshipping is not part of Yoruba culture; it is a curse because Olodumare (God Almighty) said, ‘Thou shall not bow down to any other gods,’ and you want we, Yoruba, to be under a curse,” he said.

Oba Akanbi’s message stressed the importance of preserving the purity of Yoruba tradition and culture.

“They want to lump curse to our tradition and culture. Christianity and Islam are not traditions and cultures, so also idol worshipping; they are all ways of worship. Let everybody worship what they want but don’t mix it with Yoruba tradition and culture.

“We have a great tradition and culture. I hate with passion idol worshipping; I cannot tolerate it,” he concluded.