Former Minister of Culture, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has berated the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi as “Islamofascist” for dressing as a northern traditional ruler and allegedly insisting on being addressed as “Emir”.
Fani-Kayode made this known in a Sunday evening tweet via his verified Twitter handle.
See tweet:
Meanwhile, the Oluwo on Sunday denied that he had dropped the Oba title for Emir.
In a statement through his spokesman, Ali Ibrahim, the traditional ruler said: “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 ?
“No , I am a father to the nation , being a first – class paramount ruler. ”