An Iwo Chief, Abdulrosheed Jeleel has urged traditionalists to desist from mixing idol worship with Yoruba culture and tradition.
The warning is coming against the backdrop of the recent criticism of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi by Ifa Council Worldwide who accused the monarch of fanning embers of division in the Yoruba traditional religion and culture.
However, speaking via a statement by Ibraheem Alli in Osogbo on Monday, Jeleel wondered why the Ifa Council was mixing Yoruba culture with tradition.
Challenging the group to come out clean with their written code of conduct as it is in the Bible and Qur’an, he explained that Islam and Christianity have never hidden under culture to deceive people.
He said, “Yoruba has the richest culture and traditions. Our rallying point, Oduduwa, never worshipped any deity. He worshiped only Olodumare. He brought unilateral leadership committed to Olodumare (God).
“After the demise of Oduduwa, the family of Obatala known for idolatry hijacked the throne. That was the genesis of how they started to lump idolism with our culture and traditions. The mess has not be cleaned since the return of Oranmiyan.
“Now the truth has come, and it will stay. Deitism has no link with Yoruba culture and kingship. Yorubas are a special creature. We communicate directly to Olodumare and not through any intermediary.”