A simmering but intense dispute has erupted between Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, and Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, as accusations of dethronement plots surface, shaking the foundations of their royal relationship.
In a dramatic statement released late Friday, the Oluwo accused the Ooni of scheming against him, despite the significant role he allegedly played in Ogunwusi’s ascension to the throne.
The feud, which had long been undercurrents, has now taken center stage as the Oluwo claims that the Ooni’s actions are motivated by personal vendettas.
The Oluwo went on to express how his early ties to the Ooni’s family might have been misused in the power struggle.
According to him, the connections that once linked him to Ogunwusi, including those forged through his friendship with Ogunwusi’s older brother, Tunji Adeyeye, were now being exploited to target him.
He recalled how, in their younger days in Akobo, Ibadan, he and Tunji had been close companions, suggesting a bond of mutual respect.
The Oluwo also recounted pivotal moments, including several meetings organized in Ibadan, that were prompted by Akin Daodu, a former ally of the Ooni, who had sought the Oluwo’s intervention at a critical time.
These meetings, he claims, were instrumental in supporting Ogunwusi’s rise but now have become points of contention.
He said: “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 meeting against the AIG who was a star witness to what transpired.
“He is using a few kings in Iwoland to destabilise my territory.
“He attacked me last month in the presence of the governor, that I am discouraging deity worship.
“He was one of those who used my former wife against me.
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“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. His cohorts that tried it in the past failed.”
However, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, speaking through his Director of Media, Otunba Moses Olafare, denied the allegations raised by Oluwo.
He said: “Oba Adeyeye has been ordained as a king from heaven, regardless of who does what. He is a king with God on his side.
“When Oluwo wanted to be king, Ooni supported him with cash and other logistics that we can’t even mention here.
“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 they feel is good for them.”
