The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has accused the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, of plotting his downfall despite allegedly playing a role in helping him become king.
In a video making rounds on Saturday, Oluwo claimed he influenced Oba Ogunwusi’s emergence as the Ooni of Ife in 2015.
He further alleged that Ooni had since been working against him, including orchestrating his suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas.
However, the Ooni dismissed the allegations, stating he would not respond as this was not the first time Oba Akanbi had made such claims.
Speaking in a video from a Ramadan lecture in Iwo, which his press secretary, Ibrahim Alli, confirmed, Oluwo said he helped Oba Ogunwusi resolve a court case that could have hindered his ascension.
“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 needed 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.
“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) 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. 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.”
Oluwo further alleged that Ooni had since turned 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.
“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.”
Responding, the Director of Media at the Ooni’s palace, Moses Olafare, dismissed Oluwo’s claims.
“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.”
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi was officially crowned as the Ooni of Ife on December 7, 2015, succeeding the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
