Oluwo: I didn’t solicit N20m from gov to wed Kano princess

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has written a letter to the governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, to solicit for the sum of N20 million to marry a princess in Kano State.

Oluwo, in a letter dated February 8, 2022, stated his decision to marry a princess from the Ado Bayero dynasty in Kano State.

A stamp on the letter titled, ‘Notification of wedding and request for financial support’, showed it was received on behalf of Oyetola by the office of Special Adviser to the governor on Chieftaincy Affairs.

The letter read: “I have the instruction of the His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo to notify you of Oluwo’s decision to marry a princess from Kano Emirate to be precise Ado Bayero dynasty.

“I wish to remind your Excellency that this kind of royal wedding within two notable traditional institutions in Nigeria will require huge expenses, which necessitate support of the state government financially even logistically.

“Moreover, the estimated amount for the event is above (#20,000,000.00) Twenty million naira.

“His Excellency, Oba Akanbi relies on you for necessary consideration and approval on this request.”

Meanwhile, the Press Secretary to Oluwo’s Palace, Alli Ibraheem, while reacting to the development via a statement on Friday, said the letter did not emanate from the palace of Oluwo.

The statement read: “While we commend the enlightened public for their sense of fair judgement, we want to categorically state it that the letter is fake and did not emanate from the palace of Oluwo.

“The said letter lacks basic in-house style of Oluwo’s palace correspondence. Oluwo always append his personal signature while writing the government. Equally, the font in the letter is not our official style. At the said date on the letter, Oluwo was not in the state up till now. And his secretary has no audacity, whatsoever to sign on behalf of His Majesty while communicating with the government.

“The letter was orchestrated by mischievous people whose mission is to discredit the palace. Marriage is a personal affairs. There is no marriage venture too big for Oluwo to finance on his own. Those circulating such should exercise caution. Queen is coming but not in haste of the public demand.

“We enjoin reasonable individual to get their facts before jumping on the bandwagon,” Ibraheem stated.

TheStar