Oluwo of Iwo Accuses Ooni of Ife of Betrayal Over Kingship Dispute

 

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

Speaking at a Ramadan lecture in Iwo, Oba Akanbi recalled how he facilitated Oba Ogunwusi’s emergence as the Ooni by helping to resolve a court case that could have hindered his appointment. However, he lamented that the Ooni had since turned against him, allegedly orchestrating his suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas and attempting to undermine his rule.

Oba Akanbi narrated how, in 2015, he received a call from Akin Daodu, a close ally of then-Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi, seeking his help.

"We discussed, and he (Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi) disclosed that almost all stakeholders, including then-Governor Aregbesola, had agreed to his appointment, but a court case was standing in the way. I assured him that if that was his only concern, he was already a king. I made some calls, and by Friday, the case was settled. By Saturday, he was crowned the Ooni of Ife."

Oba Akanbi claimed that he prioritized helping Ogunwusi before his own kingship was secured months later.

However, the Oluwo expressed disappointment, alleging that after becoming Ooni, Oba Ogunwusi turned against him.

"To my surprise, the same person I helped ascend the throne has been plotting against me. He played a role in my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas, and he has been working with some kings in Iwoland to destabilize my domain."

The Oluwo further claimed that the Ooni attacked him publicly for discouraging idol worship and even used his former wife against him in a smear campaign.

"He wants me removed as Oluwo by all means, but it will never happen. No one can remove me, no one can kill me, and no one can bring me down except if I never helped him become Ooni."

In reaction to the allegations, the Ooni of Ife’s Director of Media, Chief Moses Olafare, dismissed the claims, stating that the palace had no time to engage in such disputes.

"This is not the first time Oluwo has made such statements. We have never responded, and we won’t now. Ooni is busy with developmental projects and has no time for distractions."