Oluwo of Iwo Accuses Ooni of Ife of Plotting His Dethronement

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has accused the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, of allegedly trying to remove him from his throne. Oluwo expressed disappointment, stating that he played a crucial role in Ooni’s emergence but is now facing betrayal. The dispute between the two monarchs has raised concerns about the unity of traditional rulers in Osun State.

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Oluwo’s Accusations Against Ooni

Oluwo, in a statement released to journalists on Friday night, claimed that Ooni was working against him despite his past support. He disclosed that he facilitated crucial meetings in Ibadan to help Oba Ogunwusi ascend the throne of Ife. According to him, he could have used the same connections to push for the enthronement of Ooni’s elder brother, Tunji Adeyeye, who was a close friend of his.

The monarch alleged that the Ooni has been plotting his downfall by influencing the Osun State Council of Obas to suspend him. He further claimed that the Ooni was using certain kings within Iwoland to destabilize his reign.

“To my surprise, the same person I helped to the throne has been planning evil against me. He orchestrated my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas against the AIG, who was a star witness to what transpired. He is using a few kings in Iwoland to destabilize my territory,” Oluwo stated.

Traditional Leadership Dispute Deepens

Oluwo went on to mention that the Ooni attacked him last month in the presence of the governor, accusing him of discouraging deity worship. He also claimed that the Ooni played a role in his past marital issues by influencing his former wife against him.

“He was part of those who used my former wife against me. He wants me to be removed as Oluwo by all means. Such is a dream that can never come true. No one can remove me as Oluwo. No one can kill me, and no one can bring me down. He should keep trying. He will be the one to live to regret, and his cohorts who have tried in the past failed,” Oluwo declared.

The allegations have sparked tension within the Yoruba traditional institution, with some observers expressing concerns over the potential impact on unity among traditional rulers.

Ooni of Ife Denies Allegations

Reacting to the accusations, the Ooni of Ife, through his Director of Media, Otunba Moses Olafare, denied any involvement in plans to dethrone Oluwo. He described the claims as baseless, emphasizing that Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s kingship was divinely ordained.

“Oba Adeyeye has been ordained as a king from heaven, regardless of who does what. He is a king with God on his side,” Olafare stated.

He further revealed that the Ooni had supported Oluwo financially and logistically when he was vying for the throne of Iwo.

“When Oluwo wanted to be the king, Ooni supported him with cash and other logistics that we can’t even mention here,” he added.

Regarding Oluwo’s suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas, Olafare clarified that the Ooni had no personal involvement in the decision. He explained that at the last Council of Obas meeting, Ooni only advised Oluwo not to criticize other monarchs for their religious beliefs.

“At the last Council of Oba meeting, Ooni only jokingly told Oluwo that he should not condemn any monarch for worshipping deities but should allow anyone to practice anything that they feel is good for them,” Olafare stated.

Implications for the Yoruba Traditional Institution

The ongoing dispute between the two influential monarchs has sparked widespread reactions among the Yoruba people. Many traditionalists and scholars have called for peaceful resolutions, stressing that internal conflicts among traditional rulers could weaken the cultural heritage of the Yoruba nation.

Political analysts believe that the rift could influence the power dynamics in Osun State, especially within the Council of Obas. Some have called on Governor Ademola Adeleke and other key stakeholders to intervene and mediate between the two rulers before the situation escalates.

As tensions continue to rise, many observers are watching closely to see whether the two monarchs will find common ground or if the conflict will deepen further. The unity of Yoruba traditional leadership remains a crucial factor in preserving the culture and traditions of the region.