The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rosheed Akanbi, has accused the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, of working against him despite his role in helping the Ooni ascend the throne.
Oluwo claimed he played a crucial role in Oba Ogunwusi’s emergence as the Ooni in 2015. However, he alleged that the Ooni had since been orchestrating moves to remove him, including his suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas.
Oluwo’s Allegations Against Ooni.
Speaking during a Ramadan lecture in Iwo, a clip of which was confirmed by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Alli, Oluwo claimed that he helped Oba Ogunwusi resolve a court case that could have stalled his ascension to the throne.
“In 2015, I got a call from Akin Daodu, a close ally of the then Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi, now Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi. He told me Prince Adeyeye was on the phone, that he needed to talk and seek my help regarding his aspiration to the throne of Ooni of Ife.
“I knew him then, but I was closer to his brother, Tunji Ogunwusi, who was my peer. Tunji Ogunwusi,
popularly called Dodo, and I were about eight years older than the Ooni.
“As a friend and peer, I had earlier called Tunji Ogunwusi to help him ascend the throne, but he underrated me and refused to take me seriously.”
Oluwo further disclosed that Ooni Ogunwusi had the backing of key stakeholders, including the then-governor, Rauf Aregbesola, but was facing a legal challenge that threatened his appointment.
“He said his primary concern was the litigation. I asked him if that was all, and he said yes. I told him he was already a king.
“In his presence, I called the person in charge and told them what I wanted. The case was decided on Friday, and Adeyeye became Ooni on Saturday. This was before my own enthronement. I was not selfish. I secured his own before mine. And a few months later, God used the same link for me to become the Oluwo of Iwoland.”
Accusations of Betrayal.
Oluwo lamented that despite his support, the Ooni had allegedly been working against him.
“To my surprise, the same person I helped ascend the throne has been planning evil against me. He orchestrated my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas meeting.
“He is using a few kings in Iwoland to destabilize my territory. He attacked me last month in the presence of the governor, saying that I am discouraging idol worship. He was part of those who used my former wife against me.
“He wants me to be removed as Oluwo by all means. Such a dream can never come true. No one can remove me as Oluwo. No one can kill me, and no one can bring me down, except if I didn’t help him become the Ooni.”
Ooni’s Palace Dismisses Claims
In response, the Director of Media at the Ooni’s palace, Chief Moses Olafare, dismissed Oluwo’s allegations, stating that the Ooni had no time to engage in such discussions.
“This is not the first time Baba Oluwo will make comments like that. We never reacted, and we won’t react. Let him say whatever he wants. That is what he is busy doing.
“Ooni is busy with developmental projects, so he is occupied and doesn’t have time to respond to someone looking for attention. We don’t have time for that. Whatever Baba Oluwo likes, let him say. We are not interested.”
The ongoing tension between the two monarchs continues to raise eyebrows, as many await further developments in the royal dispute.
