20 monarchs meet in Oluwo’s palace, promise enduring peace

NO fewer than 20 traditional rulers converged on the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, on ways to achieve what they called an enduring peace in their respective domains and Osun State.

After the two-hour meeting, held at the weekend, the Olowu of Owu-Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, made case for the Oluwo as the chairman of Iwo kingdom traditional council, declaring him as a monarch who holds the judiciary in high esteem.

Oba Oyelude stated that the news making the round did not represent the position of the council and urged the public to disregard them, just as he insisted that the council was made up of law-abiding traditional rulers.

“I am on behalf of Iwo traditional council, stressing that the Oluwo, our chairman, holds the judiciary in high esteem and has faith in its sanctity as the third arm of government. Kabiyesi will, therefore, not do anything to undermine the power of the judiciary.

“Kabiyesi is a royal father of peace and development. That is why we are here to identify with him and look for a way out of the issue,” he said.

Oba Oyelude reiterated the commitment of Iwo traditional council to the general peace of Yorubaland and urged other traditional rulers to also work for the peace of the nation, saying there is no other time to forge Yoruba unity than now.

The Oluwo, in his remark, commended the monarchs for their large turnout and promised to always provide good leadership to the council.

Oba Akanbi also expressed his dismay at the issue, but assured the council of his readiness to comply with their advice on his public statement.

“I thank you for this show of love. This is the way to go. This is how we can collectively move forward. I have no doubt in my mind that we are going to achieve greater things together with this kind of spirit.

“There cannot be development where there is no love. Love breeds peace and all of them work together. I thank you and thank our governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, for making peace and development his watch words,” he said.