The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has declared that any cleric who seeks human parts to make money is a priest.
Akanbi made this declaration during a Ramadan lecture organized by the Federation of Ahlus-Sunnah Organisations in Nigeria, FASON, and Jamiyyat Ahlil Kitab Was-Sunnah, JAKWAS, held at Khayrul Adab School of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Apete, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
The event was attended by FASON Amir, Fodilatu Sheikh Tajudeen Abdul-Kareem, the Alawotan of Awotan, Oba Dauda Adebayo Omotoso, the Divisional Police Officer of Apete Divisional Headquarters, CSP Muhammad Ayodeji, and scores of Islamic clerics.
The traditional ruler, while addressing the gathering, said that clerics who seek human parts to make money are priests.
He stated that one of the roles of Islamic clerics is to preach the oneness of God and to encourage people to shun idol worship.
Akanbi, who mentioned that he was a cleric before becoming a king, said that it took him two years and nine months to ascend the throne.
He said, “As Islamic clerics, you have to deliver the message of God to the people. Traditional rulers have to be firm and just in delivering judgments. You need to preach the oneness of God. Tell them not to worship idols.
“I thank God, I was once an Islamic cleric. If someone is an Islamic cleric and he becomes king, what does it entail? It means promotion. I have now become a king, a representative of God on earth.
“Any cleric who seeks human parts to make money is a priest. They are priests. They are Babalawos. You don’t have to look for human parts to be rich. If you have knowledge, you will be a wealthy person.
“As a representative of God, there are still some traditional rulers who worship idols. The position of a king is the highest; it is not a demotion. Idol worship is a curse. There is no forgiveness for idol worship.
“Kings are supposed to worship God; they are not supposed to worship idols. Do not be deceived; we are not to worship idols. I am a custodian of tradition, but when it comes to religion, I worship only one God.
“Many people do not want to work before they become rich. If you believe in God, God is very close to us. You cannot deceive God.
“I spent two years and nine months before I became Oluwo. At that time, I had spent a lot of money. I was almost down. I did not see the governor until the day of the announcement, and the governor announced me.
“Do not equate the position of God with anything else. Do not leave here and continue to worship idols. Believe in one God; do not worship idols again.”
Clerics Seeking human parts for wealth are priests, not Islamic leaders – Oluwo of Iwo
