The Palace of the Oluwo of Iwoland, His Imperial Majesty Ọba AbdulRosheed Adéwálé Akanbi, has strongly refuted a viral social media story alleging that the revered monarch changed his citizenship to Saudi Arabia and claimed he did not believe in Yoruba culture.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oluwo, Alli Ibraheem, the Palace described the report as completely false, fabricated and the handiwork of bloggers seeking online traffic and financial gain through their monetised platforms.
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According to the statement, the photograph attached to the viral claim was taken during a courtesy visit by graduating students of Al-Medinah International School, Osogbo, to the Oluwo’s palace and had no connection whatsoever with the misleading narrative being circulated.
The Palace also categorically denied claims that Oluwo wished Oduduwa had been born in Saudi Arabia, challenging anyone making such allegations to produce a video or any credible evidence showing Ọba Adéwálé Akanbi making such remarks.
The statement urged members of the public to disregard the report, stressing that no reputable or credible media organisation published the story.
Reaffirming the monarch’s commitment to Yoruba heritage, the Palace stated that Oluwo remains one of the foremost traditional rulers championing the promotion and preservation of authentic Yoruba culture, language and traditions. It added that the Oluwo of Iwoland proudly wears traditional Yoruba attire, celebrates Yoruba customs and continues to promote the Yoruba identity on every available platform.
The Palace concluded by maintaining that those behind the false reports remain determined to tarnish the monarch’s image but insisted that such efforts have repeatedly failed.
