The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, has announced a campaign to separate the Yoruba monarchy and tradition institutions from idol worship.
Oluwo who spoke at a reception organised for him by Muslims in his palace on Monday, said the campaign would reinstate an unadulterated form of kingship in Yorubaland, free from the influences of deity worship and idolatry.
The Oluwo emphasised the necessity for a re-engineering of the pure monarchy as originally established by Oduduwa.
He described the campaign as a cultural revolt against what he termed an “adulterated monarchy,” declaring that kings who practice idol worship are akin to herbalists and should vacate their thrones.
He said, “We have commenced cultural revolt against the adulterated monarchy. Kings worshipping idols are herbalists. They should quit the throne. We want to make the throne, which is the head clean. When the head is good, the body will be sound. Deity worshipping is a religion, not a culture.
“Idol Worshippers should stop mixing the wrong with the right. Our culture is one of the best worldwide. Today, it has been infected and infracted by deitism. The coordinated step to right the wrong is now. We will pursue it to a logical conclusion.
“Selected and interested monarchs from the South Western States have registered their readiness. We will form an association of Yoruba Monarchs who trust only in Olodumare.
“We want to redirect the throne to God as launched by Oduduwa, the founding father of the throne through a coordinated cultural revolt against adulterated monarchy.
“All infractions into Yoruba traditional institutions will be checkmated and corrected. A prosperous Yorubaland will rise to be envy others. We will clean the institution and restore the glory of the institution.”
He reiterated the need to maintain the sanctity of the throne, noting that a purified leadership would lead to overall societal well-being.
Oluwo called upon monarchs who engaged in idol worship to reconsider their positions or voluntarily abdicate their thrones to prevent an impending cultural uprising within Yorubaland.
He underscored that kingship is a divine institution ordained by Olodumare, which must be safeguarded against idolatry.
The Oluwo advocated for a revival of pure monarchy, which he believes will restore the former glory of Yorubaland and usher in a new era of prosperity.
He appealed to the descendants of Oduduwa to unite in addressing the deviations within their culture, traditions, and particularly the monarchy.
Oluwo cautioned idol worshippers to distance themselves from Yoruba cultural practices, drawing a parallel with how Muslims and Christians refrain from blending their religious beliefs with Yoruba traditions.
He highlighted the importance of correcting historical mistakes, emphasizing that the pursuit of truth and purity in leadership is essential for the region’s progress.
“We are here today to correct the mistakes of the past and rewrite history, to challenge lies and lay a formidable foundation for truth to strive. One of the purposes of meaningful existence is to correct the mistakes of the past.
“It may take time, but truth has no duplicate. The glory of Yorubaland will shine again. We will clean the throne for the prosperity of our dear land.
“We have commenced cultural revolt against the adulterated monarchy. Kings worshipping idols are herbalists. They should quit the throne. We want to make the throne, which is the head clean.
“When the head is good, the body will be sound. Deity worshipping is a religion, not culture”,” he stated.
Over 40 Obas from the six western states of Nigeria, along with numerous prominent Yoruba Islamic clerics, were present at the event, signalling widespread support for the Oluwo’s vision.
The Oluwo concluded his address by advocating for the formation of an association of Yoruba monarchs dedicated to upholding the principles of Olodumare and steering the institution towards its foundational values as laid down by Oduduwa.
