The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has asked traditional rulers in Yorubaland to renounce their membership of secret societies.
Akanbi said such societies only enslaved their members after promising them false spiritual and financial gains.
According to him, the influence of monarchs has been reduced by their membership of secret societies.
He added that their membership of such societies had made them subservient to the desires of cult leaders who should be their subjects.
The Iwo traditional ruler said monarchs in the South-West should come together to form a council of Yoruba obas and reassert their God-given authority.
Akanbi spoke on Tuesday through a statement by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem.
In the statement, the traditional ruler asked the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, to lead the “revolution” against secret societies.
He said if they failed to respond, he was ready to lead the “revolution”.
He said, “Secret societies have stolen kings’ rights. The only way is a revolution to be led by a valiant and a leading Yoruba monarch. I see the Alaafin and Awujale having that courage. Baba Alaafin can lead this campaign with Awujale, as monarchs with a lot of history. I want to task the Alaafin to lead the revolution at liberating monarchs from the growing decimation of their influence occasioned by membership of secret societies. If Baba Alaafin refuses, I will start the revolution. I have obas willing to follow. If the Alaafin, Awujale and Akiolu are ready, I pledge my unalloyed support at all costs. The institution is one and must be defended at this time.
