A rift has emerged between the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over allegations of a plot to dethrone Oluwo.
In a statement on Friday night, Oluwo accused Ooni of orchestrating moves against him despite his past support in helping Ooni ascend the throne. He claimed that the same connections he used to support Oba Ogunwusi could have been used for the monarch’s elder brother, Tunji Adeyeye, whom he once considered a peer and friend in Ibadan.
Oluwo recounted how he facilitated multiple meetings in Ibadan after one Akin Daodu, an associate of Oba Ogunwusi, sought his intervention.
“To my surprise, the very person I helped to the throne has been working against me. He influenced my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas despite the AIG being a witness to what truly transpired. He is also using a few kings in Iwoland to destabilize my domain,” he alleged.
Oluwo further claimed that Ooni confronted him in the presence of the Governor, accusing him of discouraging deity worship.
“He was part of those who used my former wife against me. He wants me removed as Oluwo at all costs. But that will never happen. No one can dethrone me, no one can harm me, and no one can bring me down.
“He can keep trying, but in the end, he and his allies will be the ones to regret their actions,” Oluwo asserted.
However, the Ooni of Ife, through his Director of Media, Otunba Moses Olafare, dismissed the claims as baseless.
“Oba Adeyeye is divinely ordained as king, regardless of what anyone does. He rules with God’s support,” Olafare stated.
He also countered Oluwo’s claims of assistance, revealing that Ooni had, in fact, provided financial and logistical support to Oluwo during his own ascension.
“At the last Council of Obas meeting, Ooni only made a lighthearted remark, telling Oluwo not to criticize monarchs who practice deity worship but rather allow everyone to follow their own beliefs,” he explained.
