• Your accusation, not deserving response, Ooni’s camp replies

By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has accused the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, of plotting to dethrone him despite his past support for the Ife monarch’s ascension to the throne.

In a video observed by journalists, the Oluwo alleged that he played a significant role in Oba Ogunwusi’s emergence as Ooni in 2015 but has since become a target of the monarch’s schemes. He claimed the Ooni was instrumental in his suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas.

However, the Ooni’s palace dismissed the claim, stating that Oluwo’s allegations did not merit a response, as he had made similar remarks in the past.

Speaking at a Ramadan lecture in Iwo on Wednesday, in a video confirmed by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Alli, the Oluwo detailed how he allegedly helped Oba Ogunwusi navigate a legal battle that could have derailed his ascension.

He said: “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.

“We discussed, and he (Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi at the time) disclosed that almost all the stakeholders, including Governor Aregbesola, had agreed to his appointment, but there was a court case instituted by a few aggrieved individuals against him. 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.”

Expressing dismay over the alleged moves against him, Oluwo stated, “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 meetings.

“He is using a few kings in Iwoland to destabilise 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.”

Reacting to the allegations, the Director of Media at the Ooni’s palace, Chief Moses Olafare, dismissed the claim, saying the Oluwo’s remarks did not warrant a response.

“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. Everybody has something they are busy with.

“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,” he explained.