Olori Wuraola, wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has refused to confirm or deny reports that her 17-month-old marriage to the paramount traditional ruler has collapsed.
The Edo-born queen is instead mourning victims of the mudslides that killed more than 300 people and left thousands homeless in Sierra Leone.
“My thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone during this devastating mudslide that has now claimed 300+ lives and hundreds of homes and businesses,” she wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
The Ooni and Olori got married in March 2016 in a union said to have been arraigned by the oracle.
Oba Ogunwusi was absent at the wedding ceremony held at the bride’s family house in Benin City, Edo State, but he was on hand to receive her at his palace the day after.
Online media reports claim that trouble began shortly after the marriage was contracted.
The marriage was described as a sham, plagued by suspicion, hatred and devoid of love, as the queen was alleged not to be on talking terms with her in-laws.
This is in spite of the Olori calling the Ooni “My husband, my soulmate, my mentor, my king, the people’s King,” in an Instagram post in April shortly after he was snubbed by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, at a public event in Lagos.
It is claimed that the trouble in the royal marriage was already manifest when the queen led some celebrities in a walk against domestic violence and sexual abuse in June.
Among those who took part in the walk organised by Olori Wuraola’s 1in3Africa Campaign were Tonto Dikeh, Mercy Aigbe, Sola Sobowale, Foluke Daramola, Annie Idibia, Monalisa Chinda and Toke Makinwa.
