Crisis looms over Iwo Day as Oluwo kicks

Tension has gripped the historic town of Iwo, Osun state, over the insistence of the traditional ruler, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu 1, that the 2017 Iwo Day celebration should not be held on its traditional third Saturday of December.

On Sunday, thugs disrupted the meeting of the Iwo Board of Trustees (IBOT) which was finalising plans for the sociocultural event, slated for December 16.

The traditional ruler is insisting on December 23 because he has another engagement, TheCable was informed.

Among those at the disrupted meeting were Lai Olurode, a professor and former commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Ojo Ladipo, a professor and former commissioner in the old Oyo state; and Bola Asafa, a former commissioner for information in Osun under the military regime.

TheCable understands that a serving commissioner, Oguntola Toogun, had told the Oluwo of Iwoland that he could send representation if the date was not suitable for him, to which he allegedly took offence.

A message is currently being circulated to warn Iwo indigenes not to attend the December 16 event, a development that has thrown spanner in the wheel of preparations and fuelled tension in the town.

The message, with the title “Iwo Day Celebration Remains 23rd of December, 2017”, read: “Oluwo of Iwoland, Arole Eledumare Natural Ruler of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu 1 has dissociated himself from a purported Invitation Card announcing the celebration of Iwo Day on 16th December, 2017.

“Oluwo described the Invitation Card which has his name as the one inviting people to Iwo Day Celebration on 16th of December, 2017 as a fake, null and void. He also said it is impersonation of the highest order to use his name to invite anyone to a celebration he knows nothing about.

“He further enjoined the entire public to be wary of those going around with the invitation cards. They are simply doing it purposely for their selfish interest and not that of the interest of the entire Iwo people.

“The 2017 Iwo Day has been fixed for 23rd of December, 2017. This date  was agreed after a concensus was reached by Oluwo and Iwo Board of Trustees (The umbrella body of all clubs and associations and the apex decision making body in Iwoland). Those people going around peddling all sorts of rumors about Oluwo canceling this year Iwo Day are enemies of this land.

“Oluwo of Iwoland, Emperor Telu I, Alashe Lori Orisha, Natural Ruler of Iwoland also warned anyone going around using his name to invite people to Iwo Day Celebration on 16th of December, 2017 to desist from such act. The only approved date for the celebration of Iwo Day 2017 as approved by Oluwo of Iwoland and Iwo Board of Trustees is 23rd December, 2017.”

He was installed Oluwo of Iwoland in 2015 at the age of 48.