A statement released by his media aide, Ali Ibrahim has revealed that the Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun state, Adbulrasheed Akanbi, has denied saying he wants to henceforth be addressed as the ”Emir of Yorubaland”.
In the statement, the monarch said he did not adopt the title of “Emir of Yorubaland” but that he only told the ”Hausas and ardent Muslims” in his community to also address him as Emir and that he sees nothing in answering to the title of Emir whenever they chose to call him that.
The statement in part reads
“Oluwo has never adopted the Emir title; he only said he could also be called an Emir by the Hausas and ardent Muslims. Oba Akanbi is an Oba for the nation, with special attachment to the Yorubas.
He promotes Yoruba culture to the admiration of many youths. Just because of Oluwo dress code today, many children are attracted to Yoruba culture of wearing aso ofi.
I said so (reference to being an emir) to integrate Nigeria nation as an indivisible entity. All working tools are available for the integration and unity of our dear country. I’ve visited the north several times. Core Hausa hardly pronounce Yoruba words correctly.
They call me emir when I am with them. Is there anything wrong in answering to such? Even, the Hausa in Iwo here call me emir. Will I stop them from addressing me as such?” the monarch’s statement read
The monarch has received a lot of backlash since reports surfaced online that he wanted to be addressed as the Emir of Yorubaland. Former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, went as far as causing the day the monarch was born when he read the report of the controversial title.
