The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has accused the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, of plotting his downfall despite his role in helping him ascend the throne in 2015.
In a video seen by Saturday Punch, Oluwo claimed he played a significant role in Oba Ogunwusi’s emergence as Ooni but alleged that the monarch had since been working against him. He specifically accused the Ooni of orchestrating his suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas.
However, Oba Ogunwusi dismissed the allegation, stating through his palace spokesperson, Chief Moses Olafare, that he would not respond, as it was not the first time Oluwo had made such claims.
“I Helped Ooni Ascend The Throne” – Oluwo
Speaking in the video, which his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Alli, confirmed was recorded during a Ramadan lecture in Iwo on Wednesday, Oluwo recounted how he assisted Oba Ogunwusi in resolving a court case that could have hindered his appointment.
“In 2015, I got a call from Akin Daodu, a close ally of the then Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi, now Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi. He told me Prince Adeyeye needed my help regarding his aspiration to the throne of Ooni of Ife,” Oluwo said.
He revealed that he initially intended to support the Ooni’s elder brother, Tunji Ogunwusi, but changed his mind after Tunji dismissed his influence.
“I had earlier called Tunji Ogunwusi to support him, but he underrated me and refused to take me seriously,” he added.
According to Oluwo, after speaking with Prince Adeyeye, he discovered that a court case was the main obstacle to his ascension.
“I asked him if that was all, and he said yes. I told him he was already a king. In his presence, I called the person in charge and told them what I wanted. The case was decided on Friday, and Adeyeye became Ooni on Saturday. This was before my own enthronement. I was not selfish. I secured his own before mine,” he claimed.
“He Wants Me Removed As Oluwo”
Oluwo alleged that, despite his assistance, Ooni Ogunwusi had been working against him.
“To my surprise, the same person I helped ascend the throne has been planning evil against me. He orchestrated my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas,” he claimed.
He further accused the Ooni of backing those trying to destabilize his reign.
“He is using a few kings in Iwoland against me. He attacked me last month in the presence of the governor, accusing me of discouraging idol worship. He was also among those who used my former wife against me,” he alleged.
According to Oluwo, the Ooni is determined to have him removed as Oluwo, but he insisted that such efforts would fail.
“No one can remove me as Oluwo. No one can kill me, and no one can bring me down, except if I didn’t help him become the Ooni,” he declared.
Ooni’s Palace Declines Response
Reacting to Oluwo’s claims, the Director of Media at the Ooni’s palace, Chief Moses Olafare, dismissed the allegations, saying the palace would not respond.
“This is not the first time Baba Oluwo will make comments like that. We never reacted, and we won’t react. Let him say whatever he wants,” Olafare said.
