The Osun State government on Wednesday, November 4, issued a caution letter to the Oluwo of Iwo, Ọba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, over alleged inflammatory public statements capable of triggering religious tensions, inter-town conflicts and disruption of communal peace.
The letter was issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
In the letter, entitled: ‘Cautionary Notes on Inflammatory Rhetorics Capable of Creating Religious and Inter-Town Conflicts,’ the government expressed concern over the recent public pronouncements attributed to the traditional ruler which it said could undermine peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony in the state.
The government stressed that while every Nigerian is constitutionally entitled to freedom of religious association, traditional rulers have a responsibility to uphold the constitution, respect the religious beliefs of their subjects and preserve the cultural values and traditions of their communities.
The government specifically warned the Oluwo against using his position or public platform to make statements that could incite hostility towards people of other faiths or promote communal violence.
The government further expressed concern that the alleged remarks were creating tension and threatening the peace, unity and stability of the state, urging him to exercise restraint and demonstrate the responsibilities expected of his traditional institution.
