The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi has debunked rumours making the rounds that he solicited funds from the Osun State government to fund his marriage.
In the letter which has been circulating on social media, Oluwo purportedly requested the sum of N20 million from the Osun State government to get married to a princess specifically from the Ado Bayero dynasty in Kano State.
The letter which was addressed to Governor Oyetola (dated February 8, 2022) was received on behalf of the governor by the office of Special Adviser to the governor on Chieftaincy Affairs.
The letter reads in part, “I have the instruction of the His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo to notify you of Oluwo’s decision to marry a princess from Kano Emirate to be precise Ado Bayero Dynasty.
“I wish to remind your Excellency that this kind of royal wedding within two notable traditional institutions in Nigeria will require huge expenses, which necessitate support of the state government financially, even logistically.”
While addressing rumours of the letter, Oluwo of Iwo, through his spokesperson, Alli Ibrahim, denied writing the state governor for financial support for the proposed wedding.
He said: “We read with total dismay, a letter purportedly said to emanate from the palace of Oluwo of Iwoland seeking financial assistance on his personal affairs, wedding.
“While we commend the enlightened public for their sense of fair judgment, we want to categorically state that the letter is fake and did not emanate from the palace of Oluwo.
“The said letter lacks basic in-house styles of Oluwo’s palace correspondence. Oluwo always appends his personal signature while writing the government.
“Equally, the font in the letter is not our official style. At the said date on the letter, Oluwo was not in the state up till now. And his secretary has no audacity, whatsoever, to sign on behalf of His Majesty while communicating with the government.
“The letter was orchestrated by mischievous people whose mission is to discredit the palace. Marriage is a personal affairs. There is no marriage venture too big for Oluwo to finance on his own. Those circulating such should exercise caution. Queen is coming but not in haste of the public demand.
“We enjoin reasonable individual to get their facts before jumping on the bandwagon,’’ the letter added.
