I welcome idol worshipers but I can't worship with them, says Oluwo

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi has said he always welcome the people worshiping idols, but however said he cannot worship with them as a monarch.

He said he rejected the traditional sobriquet which refers to monarchs as subordinate of deities, saying the nickname is derogatory to the throne and an insult to God.

In a statement on Monday, Oba Akanbi said he is an authority over deities and not the other way round, arguing a representative of God on earth, which, he stressed, traditional rulers are, is above deities.

The Oluwo stated that it is high time royal fathers changed from what he called old ways for the benefit of the young ones and incoming generations.

According to him, traditional rulers are holding forth for God in their palaces and thus should not be seen as a deputy to lesser gods and goddesses.

"When Ifa believers come, I welcome them. Same goes to Ogun worshippers and others. I welcome them and give them money. But I will not worship with them. Was Oduduwa Ifa or Ogun worshipper? Was he a Muslim or Christian? No. It is not about religion. It is about spirituality.

“We should not accept such reference any longer. We are not second fiddle to the deities. I am the authority to them because only God is king and we traditional rulers his representatives. How then can representatives of God she comfortable being called deputy of a deity? It does not flow with logic and I am rejecting it outright. I should be addressed as Alase lori Orisa,” he said.

The Oluwo clarified that he does not have any objection to giving recognition to deities based on their respective accomplishments in their lifetime.

He pointed out that the invention which Ogun made in pre-historic age elevated him to be respected because Ogun impacted positively on agriculture.

Oba Akanbi, however, said the feat was not enough to worship Ogun when, he maintained, God warns in the Bible that man must not create another god.

He added that his palace is open to all religions and their followers, for they are all his subjects with whom he must have a balance relationship, saying he does not discriminate against any of them.

“If Ifa believers come, I welcome them. Same goes to Ogun worshippers and others. I welcome them and give them money. But I will not worship with them. Was Oduduwa Ifa or Ogun worshipper? Was he a Muslim or Christian? No. It is not about religion. It is about spirituality.

The Oluwo said he is out to also fight against “traditional corruption” such as secret societies, ritual killings, kidnappings among other vices.

He expressed worry in those practices in an age of technological revolution in which, he said, human minds ought to have been liberated from the primordial thinking.

“I am just uncomfortable with the practice of worshipping inanimate things. It does not follow logic, hence my resolve to call other traditional rulers to see themselves above those stuffs. I am a culture person but I must also assist in moving our culture from stagnation,” he said.

from daily trust