The Osun State Government has issued a formal caution to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, over alleged inflammatory statements capable of triggering religious and inter-town conflicts.
The warning was contained in a November 2026 letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through the Office of the Permanent Secretary and addressed to the monarch at Oluwo Palace, Iwo.
In the letter titled “Cautionary Notes on Inflammatory Rhetorics Capable of Creating Religious and Inter-Town Conflicts,” the government expressed concern over recent public statements credited to the monarch, saying they could ignite religious confrontations, inter-town disputes and disrupt communal peace.
The government reminded Oba Akanbi that every Nigerian has a constitutional right to freedom of religion and association, stressing that traditional rulers are expected to respect the religious beliefs and rights of their subjects.
It cautioned the monarch against conduct capable of fuelling religious crises, particularly through alleged verbal attācks on people of other faiths and fellow traditional rulers.
Among its directives, the government asked the Oluwo to immediately stop further attācks on people of other religious beliefs, refrain from making statements against fellow traditional rulers and work towards preserving the cultural values and traditions represented by his throne.
The ministry also directed him to abide by the state’s Chieftaincy Laws and resolutions of the State Council of Obas.
Furthermore, the ministry said it would monitor his compliance with the directives, while the State Council of Obas was instructed to watch and address recent developments within Iwo land.
The government maintained that actions capable of creating religious or communal divisions would not be tolerated, emphasising the need to protect peace, unity and stability in Osun State.