How I Made Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ooni of Ife – Oluwo of Iwo,

…Claims of Betrayal and Political Intrigues

IWO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has revealed how he played a crucial role in ensuring that Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi became the Ooni of Ife despite his initial concerns over lingering litigation.

Oba Akanbi made this revelation in response to recent allegations and verbal exchanges over perceived attempts to undermine his position.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, the Oluwo alleged that despite his efforts to support Oba Adeyeye’s ascension to the throne in 2015, the Ooni has continually plotted against him.

He further accused the Ooni of publicly embarrassing him before Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke during a recent meeting of the Traditional Rulers Council and of orchestrating his suspension from the council despite his innocence.

Recounting his involvement, Oba Akanbi said:
“In 2015, I received a call from Akin Daodu, a close ally of then-Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi. He informed me that Prince Adeyeye was on the phone and needed my help regarding his ambition to become the Ooni of Ife.

“I told Akin Daodu that I was unaware that an Ooni-designate had already been chosen. However, I acknowledged my affinity with the Ogunwusi family, as we had lived in the same neighborhood in Akobo, Ibadan, before I traveled abroad.

“I knew him then but was closer to his brother, Tunji Ogunwusi, popularly known as Dodo. Tunji and I were about eight years older than Prince Adeyeye.

“We discussed the situation, and Prince Adeyeye disclosed that while most key stakeholders, including the governor, had agreed on his candidacy, there was still a court case instituted by a few aggrieved parties.

“He told me that his primary concern was the ongoing litigation. I reassured him that he was already a king in waiting.

“In his presence, I called the person handling the case and made my request. By Friday, the case was settled, and by Saturday, Adeyeye was officially announced as the Ooni of Ife. This happened even before my own enthronement as Oluwo.”

The Oluwo expressed his disappointment, stating that the same person he had helped to the throne has since worked against him.

“To my surprise, the Ooni has been actively planning against me. He orchestrated my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas, despite an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) serving as a witness to what transpired.

“He is using a few kings from Iwoland to destabilize my domain. He also attacked me in the presence of the governor last month, accusing me of discouraging deity worship.

“He wants to remove me as Oluwo by all means, but such a dream will never come true. No one can remove me, no one can kill me, and no one can bring me down.”

Responding to these claims, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, dismissed the allegations as baseless and reckless.

He asserted that the Oluwo’s suspension from the Council of Traditional Rulers was due to his own actions, including a public altercation with a fellow traditional ruler.

“Oba Adeyeye was divinely ordained to become the Ooni from birth, as reflected in his middle name, ‘Enitan.’ Regardless of anyone’s involvement, his ascension was prophesied and manifested in 2015.

“The Ooni did not orchestrate the Oluwo’s suspension. It was his recklessness that led to it. He physically fought and harassed a fellow monarch in public. A committee was set up to investigate the matter, and it recommended his suspension.

“The Ooni does not make a habit of embarrassing anyone, either publicly or privately. His comment at the meeting before the governor arrived was simply an appeal to Oluwo to respect traditional rulers who practice indigenous religions.

“He stated that while some rulers may be Muslims or Christians, every traditional ruler should have the freedom to follow their beliefs. How is that embarrassing? Why is Oluwo reacting to it weeks after the incident?”

Moses Olafare further revealed that when Oluwo was to ascend his throne, the Ooni provided financial and material support, including a car, to honour his enthronement.

“The palace of the Ooni also made efforts to ensure Oluwo’s smooth ascension. However, the Ooni does not speak about these things publicly. Instead of engaging in unnecessary disputes, the Oluwo should focus on real issues”, he added.