Oluwo denies rejecting Yoruba culture, challenges critics over fake news

…Palace dismisses Saudi citizenship claim as fabrication

The palace of the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that the monarch changed his citizenship to Saudi Arabia and no longer believes in Yoruba culture.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oluwo, Alli Ibrahim, the palace described the report as a fabrication and urged the public to disregard it.

According to the statement, the photograph accompanying 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 with the allegations being circulated online.

The palace also denied claims that the monarch had wished that Oduduwa, regarded as the progenitor of the Yoruba people, had been born in Saudi Arabia, insisting that Oba Akanbi never made such a statement.

Ibrahim challenged those circulating the report to produce any video or credible evidence showing where the monarch made the alleged remarks, noting that the story had not been published by any reputable media organisation.

He accused unnamed bloggers of fabricating the report to generate traffic and revenue for their monetised platforms, adding that members of the public should rely on credible news outlets for verified information.

The statement further claimed that critics of the monarch were behind the false narrative because their alleged attempts to undermine him had failed, insisting that the rumours would not distract the traditional ruler.

Reaffirming the monarch’s commitment to Yoruba heritage, Ibrahim said Oba Akanbi remains devoted to promoting Yoruba culture, traditions and language, describing him as one of the foremost traditional rulers championing the preservation of the people’s cultural identity.