The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has condemned the opposition of Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) and other Yoruba leaders, to the establishment of cattle ranches in the South West geopolitical region.
According to The Sun, Oba Akanbi made this known at an event organised by the member of House of Representatives representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency, Hon. Temitope Olatoye over the weekend.
The traditional ruler said that their opposition to the Federal Government’s move to establish cattle ranches across the country amounted to causing disunity among Nigerians.
The Yoruba elders and leaders had opposed FG’s move on cattle ranches for Fulani herdsmen in Yoruba land to forestall herdsmen-farmers clashes that could lead to killings as being expressed in the country presently.
But the Oluwo disagreed with the Yoruba elders and leaders, saying that all land in Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians.
He said, “More than half of the land mass of this country belongs to the North. The remaining is shared by the Southerners. We should look for unity. We should not discriminate.
“The land together is called Nigerian land and it belongs to all of us. There should be no discrimination. That is why I call myself the Alaafin of Iwo, Ooni of Iwo, Alake of Iwo. We traditional rulers should be fathers to all.”
Oba Akanbi had recently described himself as the Emir of Iwo and dressed in the regalia of Fulani traditional rulers, a move that generated controversy among many Nigerians.