Hundreds of residents of Iwo town in Osun State on Friday held a rally in support of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, following the demand for his removal by 12 out of 13 kingmakers in the town.
Osa of Iwo, who is the leader of the kingmakers, Chief Yekeen Bello, had alongside 11 other chiefs forwarded a petition to Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, asking for the removal of the monarch for alleged gross misconduct.
But some residents of the town, including princes, Islamic clerics, commercial motorcyclists, traders and students converged on Oluwo palace on Friday evening to rally support for the monarch.
The protesters, who chanted aloud and in appreciation of Oba Akanbi for his efforts to develop the town, warned those behind the plan to remove him to immediately discontinue the process or face dire consequences.
An indigene of the town, Prince Lekan Lamuye, while addressing the protesters at Oluwo’s palace, said efforts to remove the monarch would fail because his people want him on the throne.
He said, “We, the people of Iwo, will resist any attempt by the king’s detractors to remove, malign or defame him. Iwo has witnessed tremendous development since he was enthroned; this is the tempo we must sustain.”
Addressing the gathering, the monarch, who has spent four years on the throne, said he would live for 120 years and spend another 67 years on the throne, pushing his reign to 71 years.
He assured the people that the development of Iwo would be pursued with more seriousness.
He said, “I have 67 more years to spend on the throne; I am going to live for 120 years. Those who want me out and want to become Oluwo should wait because this is my time.
“Today is my judgment day, it has come and now the people are the judges. It is now obvious that I’m in my people’s good books. That is why you are all standing here in support of me.”
“Leaders must always strive for the development of their people. If I have not been good to you, my people, you would have stoned me today. Inasmuch as I’m loved by my people, nobody can dethrone me. Forgive the kingmakers, I still consider them as my children and they can make mistakes.”
When contacted for reaction, Osa of Iwo and leader of the town’s kingmakers, Bello, said he heard about the rally held in support of the monarch at his palace.
He identified those behind the rally as members of a religious sect.
He, however, added that many of them were not informed of the cause of the disagreements between the chiefs and Oba Akanbi, while noting that the kingmakers were not opposed to having a dialogue to resolve the matter.
The PUNCH
