Beleaguered Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi who the kingmakers of the illustrious town had asked the Osun State Government to remove for his criminal past has on Friday, boasted to people of Iwo that he would spend 67 years more on the royal seat.
The inhabitants of the ancient town thronged to his palace in a solidarity protest against the September 9, 2020 petition by the twelve king-makers urging Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State to remove him from the throne over alleged imprisonment abroad for various past misdemeanors.
Speaking to his supporters in his palace, the Oba said, “I have 67 more years to spend on the royal seat, I’m going to live for 120 years. Those who want me out, and want to become Oluwo should wait because this is my time.
“With this multitude active in solidarity walk for me, it is now plain that I am in the good book of my people. That is why you are all standing in support of me”, he said.
“Leaders must always strive for the development of their people. If I had not been good to you, my people, you would have stoned me today. In as much as I am being loved by my people, nobody can remove me from being the monarch”, Oba Akanbi noted.
The king implored the residents to forgive the king-makers, and urged them to be courageous and strong, guarantee them that the town will continue to witness good things during his reign.
The representative of the princes of all the four ruling houses in Iwo, Prince Lekan Lamuye, said all the ruling houses are behind Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and no chief can remove him as long as he enjoys the support of his subjects.
