The recent adoption of the title Emir by the Oluwo of Iwo Land, Oba Adbulrasheed Akanbi, generated controversies online, with some section of the Media, reporting that he had dropped the traditional Oba title, a claim that is far from the truth.
In an interview with DailyTrust in March, Oba Abdulrasheed had adopted the Emir regalia and said he could be called the title to show the whole world that Iwo is an Islamic ancient town and that the turban is part of his paraphernalia of office.
“When I was made the Oluwo of Iwo, I was turbaned. It is because Iwo is an Islamic ancient town. Iwo was known as ‘geri malami, meaning: the home of the scholars. So, this regalia is appropriate for me as the Oluwo.
On the reason he banished the idols and relocated the palace popular idol, Oluwo said the palace was meant for the monarch alone and that the idol cannot be sharing space with him in the palace. The Monarch said he is superior to them (the idols), hence he had to throw them away because they cannot be competing with him in the palace.
“Those who may want to worship the idols can meet them there, not in my palace. As you can see, there is a Mosque in the palace and we can worship the God Almighty there.”
The Oluwo reaffirmed his mention of being called an Emir during the turbaning and installation ceremony of an Islamic Scholar, Abdul-Baaqi Mohammed as first Waziri of Yoruba land.
Speaking at the ceremony Oba Akanbi said he decided to now bear “Emir of Iwoland” because he wants to emulate the attitude of Northern Emirs.
According to him, Northern traditional rulers behaved better and do not begrudge themselves unlike their counterpart in the South-West.
“I have decided to officially adopt Emir Title today because I want to emulate the attitudes of Northern Emirs. They don’t begrudge themselves like Yoruba Obas.
”It will surprise you to discover that for the past two years, there has not been meeting of Yoruba traditional rulers just because of enmities. There is nothing strange in adopting Emir Title. I am the Emir of Yorubaland”.
His installation of the Waziri was reportedly frowned at by the League of Imams and Alfas in Southwest Nigeria, Edo and Delta States asking him to limit the title to Iwoland and not the entire Yoruba land. But indeed the Imams were polite in their submission and accorded the Oba utmost respect.
In a Statement signed by the President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello, the title was the Oba’s conviction on the development of Islam in Iwoland.
“The proposed installation of the said recipient by your Highness as the Waziri of Iwo land is no doubt the result of your avowed commitment to the development of Islam, the lwo Community and Osun State in general.
“However, it is our considered hope that your Highness should as a matter of urgency correct the rumours making the round that the organisers of this event are trying to over blow the ceremony to capture the entire Yorubaland. This is not right.”
But the Oba opined that just as other First-class Obas in the South West can give a title and call it “…of Yoruba land”, he also reserves the same right.
While reacting to the Statement, the Oba said Iwo has a unique and distinctive traditional history among the entire Yoruba race. And these peculiarities have made Iwo be at the forefront in Yoruba land.
“The occasion of the installation of Waziri Yorubaland is another great opportunity to create the necessary awareness and promote to the entire world the deep Islamic culture and heritage in Iwo.
“Waziri did not come from Northern part of Hausa tribe but from God. So, there is nothing strange in installing Waziri. Yoruba has forgotten their history. Whoever is criticising me lacks history of Yorubaland”.
While the Oba did not mention he had dropped his Oba title, the ever sensational Vanguard reported the story with the headline: “Yoruba Oba drops title, becomes Emir”.
DailyPost also towed the path of Vanguard with the headline “Call me Emir of Iwoland henceforth” – Oluwo drops Oba title.”
Both stories were published on March 31, and while reading through, there was no mention of the Oba saying he dropped his traditional Yoruba title for the Northern title. The title was a click bait. And it worked.
Oba Reacts
Reacting to reports that he had discarded the Oba title for Emir, Oluwo said he did not adopt the title “Emir of Yorubaland” and could only be called Emir by “Hausas and ardent Muslims”.
In a Statement signed by his Media aide, Ali Ibrahim, he clarified that he could be referred to as an Emir to “integrate Nigeria nation as an indivisible entity.”
“Oluwo has never adopted the Emir title; he only said he could also be called an Emir by the Hausas and ardent Muslims.
“Oba Akanbi is an Oba for the nation, with special attachment to the Yorubas. He promotes Yoruba culture to the admiration of many youths.”
He also said he had visited the North several times, and core Hausa who cannot pronounce Yoruba fluently, refer to him as the Emir when he was with them, which he did not object.
After this Statement, Vanguard tried hard to portray the Oba as having changed his stance but not only did their initial report fall short of quoting the Oba saying he is no longer Oba, ETN24 can verify from multiple sources present at the event that even in that sitting the Oluwo referred to himself as Oba, not once, not twice.
Oluwo’s religious position
Since he assumed the Monarchical position in 2015, Oluwo had been religiously inclined to the Islamic faith by ensuring that he disposed idols from his palace.
In 2016, the Monarch had said in an interview that palaces of Monarchs must be without idols, warning traditional rulers to shun idolatry, saying God would not help any town whose monarch worshipped other gods.
“Our palaces must be clean and devoid of any idol. There is authority in the mouth of any monarch who is clean and who shuns idol worshiping. Our palaces must be devoid of idols.
“Oba must not kneel down before anybody to pray. This is a message or a warning to all the kings and let me tell them that their palaces are the habitation of God on earth.”
According to him, he is the not Igbakeji Orisa (second in command to any gods) but above them.
“I tell them where they should be put. I am a commander over Orisa, I command them, they don’t command me. I am the one to tell them the location where the idol worshippers should put their Orisa.”
In most of Yorubaland, before Obas and high traditional rulers attained position, they were subjected to several rites and cultures, and some of them include the worship of idols.
