Oluwo Accuses Ooni of Plotting His Downfall

Ooni’s Palace Responds: We Don’t Engage with Attention Seekers

 

 

 

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has accused Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, of working against him, despite allegedly playing a key role in his ascension to the throne of the Ooni in 2015.

Oba Akanbi made the claims during a Ramadan lecture in Iwo, which was later confirmed by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Alli. The Oluwo said he had played a pivotal role in helping Oba Ogunwusi secure the Ooni’s throne, but instead of being grateful, the Ooni was covertly plotting to have him removed from his own position.

In his statements, Oba Akanbi recalled that before Oba Ogunwusi became the Ooni of Ife, he was approached by a mutual acquaintance, Akin Daodu, who connected him to Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi. At the time, the Ooni’s candidacy was threatened by a court case, despite support from influential figures like the then-Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The Oluwo detailed how, in 2015, he was contacted by Daodu to assist Prince Ogunwusi, who was concerned about the litigation blocking his path to the throne. Oba Akanbi said he took immediate action, calling the relevant authorities and ensuring the court case was resolved by Friday, allowing Oba Ogunwusi to become Ooni by Saturday. He added that, shortly after, he himself ascended the throne as the Oluwo of Iwoland.

To his surprise, Oba Akanbi alleged that the Ooni, whom he helped become king, had been working against him ever since. He claimed that Oba Ogunwusi orchestrated his suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas, used some of the kings in Iwoland to destabilize his territory, and publicly attacked him, accusing him of discouraging idol worship. The Oluwo further claimed that the Ooni was behind the use of his former wife to damage his reputation.

In his response, Oba Akanbi emphasized, “He wants me removed 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, except if I didn’t help him become the Ooni.”

In reply, Chief Moses Olafare, Director of Media at the Ooni’s palace, dismissed the Oluwo’s accusations as attention-seeking. He stated, “This is not the first time Baba Oluwo has made such comments. We never responded, and we won’t respond. Let him say whatever he wants. That is what he is busy doing. Ooni is focused on developmental projects, and he doesn’t have time to respond to someone seeking attention.”

Olafare concluded, “We don’t have time for that. Whatever Baba Oluwo says is not of our interest.”