Oluwo Bans Hennessy, Other Exotic Alcoholic Drinks From Iwo Palace

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has banned Hennessy and other alcoholic drinks from his palace, citing health risks and saying such drinks should no longer be offered to him or other elders.

The traditional ruler announced the decision in a video shared on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

He warned that anyone who brings alcoholic drinks to the palace intends to “eliminate the king.”

Oba Akanbi said gin, schnapps, and imported spirits often reserved for elders are harmful to health.

“The so-called alcohol usually presented or reserved for the elders is detrimental to their health – it leads to death,” he said.

“Anyone who brings hot drinks to the king’s palace wants to eliminate the king. Gin, schnapps reserved for the elderly should not be brought to my palace because what they call alcohol for the elderly is made by the Western people to kill and destroy internal organs. It will render the kidneys useless,” he added.

The monarch said he recently learned that some visitors had brought Hennessy to the palace.

“I heard you brought Hennessy; don’t bring it here o; you want to kill me. Anyone who brings Hennessy or other dangerous alcoholic drinks has the intention to kill me. So, I should drink an entire bottle; what will I use to pray?” he asked.

He also stated that alcohol was not part of Yoruba ancestral practice.

“Health experts have long warned about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, including liver disease and kidney damage. The World Health Organisation, WHO, states that no level of alcohol consumption is completely safe for health.”

The Oluwo also spoke against some traditional practices. He condemned the practice where masquerades wield canes and beat people on the road, describing it as violence.

“Are Yoruba cows? How can I be a king and people are being macheted in the streets? Are we butchers?” he asked.

The Monarch said adherents of traditional religion should eliminate violent practices if they want wider acceptance.

He further criticised restrictions of movement during the Oro festival, describing them as unconstitutional.

“We restrict people’s movement; even the president cannot do that. It is unconstitutional. It is illegal,” he said.

He also questioned why women should be prevented from moving freely during certain traditional festivals.

Since ascending the throne in 2016, Oba Akanbi has frequently spoken against some traditional and cultural practices in Yorubaland.

He has also been involved in disagreements with religious and traditional leaders.

He was previously suspended by the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers for alleged improper conduct toward fellow traditional rulers.

In response, Oba Akanbi described the suspension as “a mere audio pronouncement.”