Sacrilege Against Yoruba Deities: Traditionalists Give Oluwo 21-day Ultimatum To Tender Apology

Traditional Religion Worshippers Association (TRWASO) has asked Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to call Oluwo of Iwo Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, to order over unguarded utterances.

The Traditional Religion Worshippers Association tackled the monarch over sacrilege against Yoruba deities.

The Oluwo insisted that celebrating deities belittled traditional rulers, saying only God is worthy of worship by monarchs.

The monarch, while speaking during the maiden edition of God’s festival at the palace, said: “A King must celebrate the king of all kings. A King must not celebrate lesser gods but God Almighty.

“I can’t be second in command to any deity. I am not a slave to any deity or idol. I have authority over them all. I am representing the real Kabiyesi who is the God of all.

“I choose to celebrate that great servant that serves me day and night. This innovation which is accepted by God, I don’t need it to be accepted by men.”

But the traditional religion adherents in the state threatened to embark on a million-man protest to Oluwo’s palace if Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, did not compel the monarch to apologise for his sacrilege against Yoruba deities.

They also issued a 21-day ultimatum for the monarch to tender a public apology to the adherents.

The worshippers, in a briefing at the residence of Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon by its president, Dr Oluseyi Atanda, said: “Oluwo must desist from utterances capable of inciting religious fracas and if he is uncomfortable wearing the crown of deities, he should leave the palace too.

“If the state government and Oluwo refuse to yield to our demands by November 30, 2021, we shall stage 1 million traditional worshipers march into Iwo for government to remove him.

“The monarch had in time past involved in a lot of wrongdoings that doesn’t fit a traditional ruler.”