Royal fathers from Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, under the aegis of Origbo Meje Obas have given the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, a 21-day ultimatum to substantiate allegations he made against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, or face a lawsuit.
In a viral video shared on social media, the Oluwo alleged that the Ooni conspired with his former wife, Queen Chanel, to eliminate him, vowing that the conflict between them would not end.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the Origbo Meje Obas, the Acting Vice Chairman of Ife North Traditional Council, Oba Kehinde Adesoji, who is the Salu of Edun Abon, accused the Oluwo of denigrating the stool of the Ooni and demanded the retraction of all allegations against Ogunwusi.
The monarch, who was flanked by the Olulamokun of Yakooyo, Oba Meshach Oyediran, and the Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, recalled alleged past misconduct by Oba Akanbi and described the Oluwo’s claim that the Ooni conspired with his ex-wife to poison him as defamatory.
The monarch accused the Oluwo of persistent misconduct, insults, and blatant disrespect toward the revered throne of Oduduwa.
The monarchs noted that the Oluwo’s repeated outbursts were designed to undermine and ridicule the traditional institution in Yorubaland, warning that such behaviour would no longer be condoned.
Recalling the incident that led to Oluwo’s suspension from the Council of Obas in 2019, Adesoji said, ‘There is no gainsaying the supremacy of the throne of the Ooni of Ife as the head of all Obas in Yorubaland. Records are available for verification regarding the outbursts of the Oluwo of Iwoland against the Ooni of Ife.
‘It is surprising that the Oluwo is the only Oba in Yorubaland who changes his title every six months — from Emir of Iwo to Alaafin of Iwo — just to gain undue media recognition. His actions are bringing disrepute and ridicule to the thrones of all Obas in Yorubaland.
‘The Oluwo of Iwoland also claimed that our father, the Ooni of Ife, lacked the power to suspend him from the State Council of Obas meeting. It should be recalled that the Oluwo had issues with fellow Obas in Iwoland, namely the Olu of Ileogbo, the Olowu of Kuta, the Olu of Songbe, the Agbowu of Ogbaagba and others. The AIG Zone XI, Osogbo, was resolving the issues.
‘At one of the meetings, the Oluwo became furious and attacked the Agbowu of Ogbaagba, injuring him. The Agbowu was later hospitalised, which necessitated an emergency meeting summoned by the Ooni of Ife as chairman of the council. The Oluwo of Iwoland, the monarchs involved, and the AIG were all invited.
‘After carefully listening to the explanations and defences of the parties involved, the Council found the Oluwo guilty of the alleged offences and resolved that he be suspended for six months from council meetings. The decision was ratified by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, as chairman of the State Council of Obas. The Ooni of Ife received applause and accolades across the globe for taking prompt action against the Oluwo of Iwo’.
The Salu further said the Oluwo’s claim that the Ooni conspired with his ex-wife to poison him amounted to a criminal allegation.
‘He who alleges must prove. On this note, we are giving the Oluwo of Iwo a 21-day ultimatum to write to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, or sue our father, His Imperial Majesty the Ooni of Ife, over the allegations. Otherwise, the Origbo Meje Obas will take legal action against the Oluwo at the expiration of this ultimatum’, he stated.
Akanbi, in another video released on his social media handles on Tuesday, declared that his feud with the Ooni would continue.
