The age-old tension between two powerful Yoruba monarchs, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has resurfaced with fresh allegations of betrayal and political maneuvering.
Oluwo, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, claimed that despite playing a key role in Ooni’s ascension to the throne in 2015, the Ife monarch has persistently worked against him. He alleged that Ooni masterminded his suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas and publicly embarrassed him during a recent meeting with Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Recalling past events, Oluwo narrated how he was approached by Ooni’s allies for support in securing the prestigious Ife throne. “He confided in me about a legal battle that could delay his kingship, and I assured him he was already a king. I personally made calls to resolve the issue, and the next day, Adeyeye was crowned,” he claimed.
However, he expressed disappointment over Ooni’s alleged betrayal. “The same person I helped is now scheming to remove me as Oluwo. He orchestrated my suspension, used my former wife against me, and is influencing certain traditional rulers to destabilize my domain. But let it be known—no one can remove me, no one can bring me down,” he declared.
In response, Ooni’s spokesperson, Otunba Moses Olafare, dismissed Oluwo’s allegations as baseless and reckless. He asserted that Ooni’s kingship was divinely ordained and not dependent on human influence.
“Ooni did not engineer Oluwo’s suspension; it was a consequence of his public altercation with another monarch. A committee investigated the matter and found him guilty of misconduct,” Olafare stated.
He also refuted claims that Ooni harassed Oluwo over his stance on traditional worship, clarifying that Ooni merely advised him to respect all religious beliefs. “Ooni has never publicly or privately embarrassed anyone,” he added.
