After calls for his suspension by royal fathers in Iwo Traditional Council, indigenes of Iwo on Tuesday marched round the community to rally support for Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi.

Led by Moluberin of Iwo, Chief Abolusode Adebayo and Mogaji Omotoso Adedapo the the indigenes moved round the community singing solidarity songs in demonstration of support for the royal father.

Oba Akanbi had faced intense criticism for alleged attack on Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa, Oba Dikrullahi Akinropo, at a peace meeting called by Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone XI, Osogbo.

The march took the participants that were mostly youth and women to Odo Ori, Ori Eru, Water Works, Oke Ola before they converged Oluwo palace were some prominent indigenes of the town addressed them.

Moluberin of Iwo, Chief Abolusode, described as “affront on Oluwo’s stool”, allegations that Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa, attempted to poke Oba Akanbi’s eye with his staff.

He said Oluwo had at a meeting held with royal fathers of adjourning communities convinced them to desist from selling lands in their towns.

Abolusode said, “In August last year, Oluwo held a meeting with monarchs under his authority. 35 of them attended the meeting in Oluwo’s palace, where they agreed to stop indiscriminate selling of lands across Iwoland.

“Oluwo also offered to append his signature to the parcels of land already sold across Iwoland but urged the monarchs to stop indiscriminate sale of land.

“Oluwo also told them to stop the way they address themselves. He said for people outside to know them and their domain, the monarchs should always add Iwo to their name.

“For instance, Onigege of Igege should not address self of Onigege of Igege but as Onigege of Igege, Iwo. People outside Osun, who may not be familiar their communities, once they see Iwo, they will know where the communities are located.

“It was also agreed at that meeting that signboards in all the communities in Iwoland should henceforth have Iwoland written alongside the town’s name on them. For examples, on signboards in Igege, Ogbagbaa and others should be written as Ile-Ogbo of Iwoland, Igege of Iwoland. All of them agreed to it including the Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa himself.“

Meanwhile, Speaking to newsmen in Osogbo, Oba Akanbi denied attacking Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa, Oba Dirkrullahi Akinropo at the said meeting in AIG’s office and described demand for his suspension by members of Iwo Traditional Council as a gang up to silence him.

He denied attacking Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa, whom he described as a monarch in his domain, adding that the kings in communities around Iwo used to be chiefs before they were made kings.

Oba Akanbi denied being a troublemaker, saying his stand against indescriminate selling of land and bullying of people the refuse to release their lands by monarchs in the area.

“If I want to be a boxing king just like the people quote me, I would have done that in Iwo instead of during the meeting the AIG’s office.

“I am fighting corruption in traditional system and I will keep fighting it, because I love my people and my people loves me. There was an argument that almost led to fight that day, but I Oba Abdrasheed Adewale Akanbi did not punch Agbowu of Ogbaagbaa.

“He did not know where he got the scratch he was showing people. I advise other traditional rulers in Iwoland to accord me my respect. I am their paramount traditional ruler,” he concluded.