
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has criticised remarks made by Justice Phillips Akinside of the Ogun State High Court regarding the Obaship institution.
The monarch described the judge’s comments as “sacrilegious” and an attempt to mislead the Yoruba people.
Background
Justice Akinside had reportedly stated that Obas have no right to change traditions they have voluntarily come into, sparking controversy and prompting the Oluwo’s response. The monarch argued that the judge’s comments demonstrated a lack of understanding of Yoruba culture and tradition.
Oluwo’s Reaction
The Oluwo said Yoruba Obas are not religious leaders, but rather cultural symbols, and that they have the freedom to choose their own religious practices.
He also argued that the criteria for becoming a king are based on royal lineage, not on deity worship or membership of secret societies.
The monarch further stated that traditional institutions are dynamic and should be in tune with the times, rather than being stuck in the past.
He commended the Ogun State Government and traditional rulers, including the Awujale of Ijebuland, Akarigbo of Remoland, and Olu of Ilaro, for their efforts in promoting the constitutional freedom of monarchs.
Commendation
The Oluwo specifically praised the Ogun State Government and the aforementioned traditional rulers for leading the campaign that resulted in the constitutional freedom of monarchs from molestation after their death.
He expressed hope that other Yoruba states would follow suit.
The Oluwo’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about the role of traditional institutions in modern society and the need for them to adapt to changing times.
READ THE OLUWO’S FULL REMARK BELOW
Oluwo Faults Justice Akinside On Obaship Remarks, Commends Foremost Ogun Traditional Rulers, Government
I’m displeased reading the remark on Obaship made by a State High Court in Ogun State, Justice Phillips Akinside. His statement was not only sacrilegious but also a deliberate attempt to mislead Yorubas who have already freed themselves from the poverty of the mind.
The judge has no deep definition of culture. Culture is not religion-Islam, Christianity and deity worshipping. Culture and traditions are not deity worshipping. Yoruba Obas are not religious leaders like Alfas, Pastors, Ogbonis, Osugbos or herbalists. And kings have the freedom to choose which of the religions to practice at will. No religion has the right to foist its practices on an Oba. Note that the acts of worshipping deities are not limited to the Yorubas. Igbos also worship deities, so, can’t be called our culture. I believe Justice Akinside is just passing his own opinion because there is no law supporting butchering and cutting dead kings into pieces. Kings in Nigeria are Nigerians. I’m not equally aware of any law enforcing Traditional Rulers to worship deity, belonging to secret societies and the likes. Traditional institution is not judiciary.
Nigerians, including kings have the constitution guiding the conduct of everyone. In the olden days, kings wielded power autocratically. There were traditional prisons in the olden days. Justice Akinside, If you want us to go back to the past, you will not have land today, I would have snatched it. Your wife would have been snatched by the king. Kings committed many evils with impunity. I hope the judge knows the meaning of “Oba Gbesele” meaning “Kings snatch it”. There was no coordination in those days until the enactment of the constitution guiding the conduct of everyone.
The criteria to become a king is to be a prince and not a deity worshipper or belonging to secret societies like Osugbos, Ogboni etc. The judge must be dreaming. Every attempt to desecrate traditional rulers and the institution will continually be resisted by noble monarchs . Thank goodness the judge is not a lawmaker. A king must be freed. The secret clubs are purposely designed to restrict the freedom and rights of traditional rulers. Traditional rulers must resist all coordinated attempts to limit their rights. Of what justification are these occultic practices you are promoting to the destiny of our innocent children killed for rituals in Yorubaland?
Again, I want to register my commendation to the Ogun State Government and foremost traditional rulers in Ogun- Awujale, Akarigbo and Olu of Ilaro, for leading the campaign that eventually led to the constitutional freedom of monarchs from molestation after their death and I hope other Yoruba states follow suit.
In Iwo, we don’t cut monarchs into pieces after their death. Such is the practice of the Osugbos and Ogbonis, not general to the Yorubas. Responsible Monarchs are fathers to the nation who have served their people just like a compassionate president.
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The old ways are not perfect. It must be reviewed. I challenge the judge to give his children tribal marks. Fuel subsidy has been one of the banes of Nigeria’s greatness for years. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu summoned the courage and confronted the devil. The retrogressive practices of the dark age with no substantial positive influence must be reviewed. If you think you need to stay in the past, drive your children there.
Leave kingship for kings who know the difference between occultic family practices (Oro Idile) and traditions. The statement credited to Justice Akinside is his opinion. Opinions are personal.
One of the purposes of a meaningful existence is to correct the mistakes of the past. Traditional institution is not like a goalpost of a football. Traditional institution is dynamic. It should be in tune with time. You can’t stay in the past and get to the future.
Natural Paramount Ruler of Iwoland,
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi.
Oluwo of Iwoland
Alase Lori Orisha
Arole Olodumare
Telu I
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