Isese: History Will Record You As First King To Desecrate Yoruba Culture — Portable Knocks Oluwo

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has lashed out at the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, over the monarch’s recent conferment of the honorary title of Atayese on social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

The singer, in a video uploaded on his official Facebook page, accused the monarch of desecrating Yoruba culture and abandoning the traditional institution he was appointed to lead, declaring that history would remember him as the first Yoruba king to openly oppose Isese (traditional religion).

Portable’s criticism comes amid growing controversy surrounding the Oluwo’s relationship with Yoruba traditional practices.

NAIJAONPOINT reports that ince ascending the throne in 2015, Oluwo has repeatedly distanced himself from traditional worship, describing his palace as “idol-free” and openly condemning what he considers idol worship.

The monarch has consistently maintained that his faith in Islam does not conflict with his role as a traditional ruler. He criticised several traditional rites, including the age-long seclusion ritual performed for newly installed monarchs, describing it as idolatry and arguing that such practices were designed to enslave kings spiritually rather than prepare them for leadership.

His invitation to VeryDarkMan to the Iwo Palace and the subsequent conferment of the title Atayese further reignited public debate over his stance on Yoruba customs, with many social media users questioning the propriety of the honour in light of his long-standing criticism of traditional religious practices.

Reacting to the development, Portable questioned the monarch’s authority to confer such a title.

The singer also revisited the monarch’s past disagreements with the Ooni of Ife, arguing that every Yoruba monarch owes reverence to the Ooni, whom he described as the foremost traditional ruler in Yorubaland.

“I heard you once disrespected the Ooni of Ife. A king surpasses kings. Any king that doesn’t bow to the Ooni can’t be relevant,” Portable stated.

He further accused the Oluwo of acting contrary to Yoruba customs, insisting that a traditional ruler should preserve, rather than reject, the religious and cultural heritage of the people.

“Oluwo, why are you going against our culture? You’re a king in Yoruba land, not from Igbo land. Even the Igbo have have deities, including the Hausa, yet you’re installing VDM as Atayese of Nigeria,” he said.

Portable also questioned the basis for honouring the activist, asking the monarch to state the contributions VDM had made before conferring the title on him.

“Can he mention how many lives he has impacted before he installed VDM with that title?” he queried.

The singer maintained that no Yoruba monarch had openly opposed traditional religion in the manner he alleged the Oluwo has done.

“Since I was born, I’ve never seen a Yoruba king desecrating our culture. You are the first king. History will record you as the first Yoruba king that went against Isese,” Portable declared.

He concluded by calling on Yoruba traditional worshippers to challenge what he described as the monarch’s continued attacks on indigenous religious practices.

“It’s high time the traditionalists rise against him. How can a Yoruba king be against the deities?” he said.

The Oluwo has yet to respond publicly to Portable’s remarks.