HOW OONI OF IFE IS PLOTTING MY DOWNFALL DESPITE MY ROLE IN HIS INSTALLATION – OLUWO

HOW OONI OF IFE IS PLOTTING MY DOWNFALL DESPITE MY ROLE IN HIS INSTALLATION – OLUWO

... Ooni Was Ordained by Heaven Says Palace Spokesperson

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has accused the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, of orchestrating moves to dethrone him. Despite claiming to have played a crucial role in Ogunwusi’s ascension to the throne, the Oluwo alleged that the Ooni is now working against him.

In a statement released in Osogbo, Osun State, Oba Akanbi expressed confidence that no one could remove or harm him.

Oluwo detailed his involvement in Oba Ogunwusi’s installation and expressed shock that the same person he helped is now allegedly plotting against him.

“God used me as an instrument to help Adeyeye Ogunwusi become the Ooni of Ife. But now, he is behind the efforts to bring me down. He orchestrated my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas, using other kings in Iwoland to destabilize my domain,” Oluwo claimed.

The monarch further alleged that the Ooni had attempted to turn the state governor against him, particularly regarding his stance on traditional deity worship.

“He attacked me last month in the presence of the governor, accusing me of discouraging deity worship. He also played a role in using my former wife against me. Let him keep trying; he will only live to regret it,” he added.

Providing insight into his role in Ooni Ogunwusi’s emergence, Oluwo revealed that he had initially considered supporting Ogunwusi’s elder brother, Tunji Ogunwusi, but ultimately chose Adeyeye.

“In 2015, Akin Daodu, a close associate of Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi, called me, saying the prince needed my help in his bid for the throne. At the time, I was unaware that the Ooni-designate had been chosen,” he explained.

Oluwo recounted that he traveled to Ibadan for a confidential meeting with the then-prince, during which Ogunwusi expressed concerns about ongoing court litigation.

“I assured him that he was already a king. Right there, I made a call to the person in charge, and by Friday, the case was settled. The next day, Adeyeye was announced as Ooni of Ife—months before my own enthronement as Oluwo,” he said.

Reacting to the allegations, the Ooni’s Director of Media, Otunba Moses Olafare, dismissed Oluwo’s claims and urged the public to ignore them.

“Ooni Adeyeye was ordained by heaven. His ascension to the throne was predestined, regardless of who played what role,” Olafare stated.

He also refuted claims that the Ooni sought to remove the Oluwo, highlighting that the Ife monarch had actually supported Oba Akanbi’s kingship bid.

“When Oluwo was aspiring for his throne, Ooni provided financial and logistical support. Even at the last Council of Obas meeting, Ooni only advised him not to criticize those who practice deity worship but to allow religious freedom,” Olafare clarified.

The tension between these two prominent Yoruba monarchs continues to unfold, with both sides presenting opposing narratives. As events develop, all eyes are on how this royal rift will be resolved.

Source: Nigerian Tribune