The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Dr. Abdul Rasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu 1, has stated that the power and importance of a traditional ruler cannot be over emphasized.

He said Obas are the representatives of God, and not renowned pastors like the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Adeboye and the founder of Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, or Imams.

According to him, pastors can only pray but only kings have divine authority to decree.

The Olowo gave his opinion about the superiority of monarchs in Yoruba land over political office holders and religious leaders at the just-concluded City People Culture Lecture in Iwo, Osun State.

While speaking with the community members and traditional rulers within and around Iwo, Telu 1 charged the people to hold the title of Obaship in high esteem and respect Obas so as to benefit from the exalted throne.

His majesty said, “The importance of a traditional Oba cannot be over emphasized. The words and utterances of the Oba holds more divine relevance than any man who is not a king.

“The power that God almighty bestowed upon a king cannot be overemphasized. Sadly, the highly placed throne of a traditional king has been relegated due to loss of value for culture and misconception of history.

“Any nation that relegates the title of Oba has lost every sense of leadership that represents a divine purpose of the almighty. Religious leaders such as pastor Adeboye or bishop Oyedepo and Imams are not the representative of God but the Obas are. They can only pray but do not have the authority to decree.

“Obas don’t pray. They decree. They represent the almighty God here on earth and the crown is the symbol and God’s supremacy that we carry as kings,” he added.