Twenty chiefs in Iwo, Osun State have thrown their weight behind the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi amid calls for his removal.
Some kingmakers in the ancient town had, last week, called for the removal of the monarch.
The 20 Iwo chiefs, in a jointly signed statement in Ibadan on Monday, Oyo State, described the call by the kingmakers as “anti-people, baseless and uncalled for.”
The statement was signed by: Chief Taleatu Akanji, Olodifi of Iwo; Chief Kasali Aremu, Anla of Iwo; Chief Fasasi Gbolagade, Asipa of Iwo; Chief Aleem Adewale, Mosalu; Chief Yekini Muideen, Akogun; Chief Samson Adio, Moleebe; Chief Ajao Bamigboye, Asalu; Chief Lamidi Akanmu, Bashorun; Chief Safiriyu Aremu, Sobaloju; Chief Rabiu Iyanda, Oloogun; Chief Lateef Amubieya, Molebe Amubieya.
Others are: Chief Salami Ayofe, Molaafe; Chief Olaide Yekinni, Baagidigbo; Chief Nurudeen Asore, Sakotun; Chief Tiamiyu Oloyan; Chief Clement Olumodan; Chief Asimi Durotoye, Baralaje; Chief Atanda James, Baale Agbe; Chief Ambali Ishola, Aipete; and Chief Atanda Musibau, Moseru of Iwo.
The statement reads in part: “The rest traditional chiefs of Oluwo of Iwo hereby affirm that they disassociate themselves from the petition calling for dethronement of Oluwo of Iwo. Oluwo of Iwo should continue his leadership of Iwo traditional council in ernest, without removal, disturbance and continue to be on the throne of Oluwo of Iwo.
-Oyin Princess