Oluwo-Isese feud: Governor Adeleke intervenes, enforces inter-faith peace

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has issued a stern warning against any further religious tensions in the state.

The celebration of the Isese festival had sparked an argument between the Traditional Religious Worshippers Association of Nigeria and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi.

The governor has sent his Special Adviser on Security, Samuel Ojo, to Iwo to meet with both parties immediately, according to a statement sent by the governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed.

Olawale mentioned that he had been at the Oluwo’s palace, where he had spoken with many parties involved, including the absent monarch by telephone.

In addition, he spoke with traditionalists who declared their intention to meet in Iwoland to protest the traditional ruler’s restriction on traditionalists entering his territory.

I was sent here by Mr. Governor’s order. Even though Kabiyesi, Oluwo is away, he has assured me that peace and security will be maintained. Not far from the palace, I spoke with a few other traditional leaders.

Any organization that disrupts the calm of the state would have to deal with security operations, thus the message is one of peaceful coexistence being needed.

We’ve done everything we can to ensure your safety. The traditionalists can go about their business without interference from anyone. They have to stick to the letter of the law. He said, “The Governor has also announced Monday, November 21st, as a public holiday in honor of the 2023 Isese Day Festival.

Information acquired by Infostride News suggests that things went south after Oba Akanbi made it clear in public that traditional worship was not tolerated in Iwo town.

As part of his reign, the traditional monarch ordered the town’s populace to apprehend and bring before him anyone they caught engaging in rituals from the town’s ancient religion.

In response, Dr. Oluseyi Atanda, president of the Traditional Religious Worshippers Association of Nigeria, said traditionalists will stop bowing to the Oluwo.