The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has charged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, with attempting to undermine him following his assistance in helping the Ooni ascend to power.
In a video viewed by Saturday PUNCH Oluwo stated that he played a role in Oba Ogunwusi's rise to become the Ooni during his campaign for the throne in 2015.
Oba Akanbi claimed that the Ooni has been working towards removing him, accusing Oba Adeyeye of being responsible for his earlier suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas.
However, Ooni rejected Oluwo’s accusation, although he stated he wouldn’t respond to it because "this wasn't the first time Oba Akanbi would make such a claim."
In the video, where his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Alli, verified that it originated from a Ramadan lecture held in Iwo on Wednesday, Oluwo stated that he assisted Oba Ogunwusi in resolving a court case that could have obstructed his appointment and installation as the Ooni.
He mentioned that Akin Daodu, an associate of Oba Ogunwusi at the time, introduced them. He explained that although he initially favored supporting Tunji Ogunwusi, the elder brother of the Ooni, he did not do so as Tunji had underestimated him.
"In 2015, I received a call from Akin Daodu, who was closely allied with Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi, currently known as Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Daodu informed me that Prince Adeyeye wanted to speak with me concerning his ambitions for becoming the Ooni of Ife. Although I recognized Prince Adeyeye, I shared a stronger bond with his sibling, Tunji Ogunwusi. We considered ourselves peers; both Tunji Ogunwusi—often referred to as 'Dodo'—and myself were roughly eight years senior to the present-day Ooni."
As a friend and colleague, I previously reached out to Tunji Ogunwusi to assist him in ascending the throne, but he underestimated my support and chose not to take me seriously.
We talked about it, and Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi mentioned at the time that nearly all stakeholders, such as Governor Aregbesola, had consented to his appointment. However, there were legal challenges filed by some unhappy people against him. His main worry was this lawsuit. When I inquired if there was anything else, he confirmed that it wasn’t an issue. At that point, he was already considered a king.
In his company, I contacted the relevant authority and conveyed my wishes. The decision was made on Friday, after which Adeyeye assumed the role of Ooni on Saturday. This occurred prior to my own installation. My intentions were selfless; I ensured his position was secure before pursuing my own. Several months afterward, through the same connection, God facilitated my ascension as the Oluwo of Iwoland.
Expressing his dismay over the supposed conspiracy against him by Oba Adeyeye, Oluwo stated, "I was shocked to discover that the individual I assisted in ascending the throne had been plotting harm against me. He masterminded my exclusion from the Osun State Council of Obas meetings."
He is employing several chieftains in Iwoland to undermine my domain. Last month, he assaulted me in front of the governor, claiming that I am deterring idol worship. He was among those who utilized my ex-wife against me.
He wishes for my removal as Oluwo by every possible method. This aspiration will never materialize. Nobody has the power to depose me from this position. Nobody can extinguish my influence, nor can anyone diminish my standing—unless I had not assisted him in attaining his role as Ooni.
Nevertheless, the Head of Media at the Ooni’s palace, Chief Moses Olafare, stated that Oluwo’s comment did not warrant any response.
Olafare stated, "Baba Oluwo has made similar remarks before, and this isn’t the first instance. We didn’t respond then, and we won’t start now. He can express his opinions as he pleases; that’s just how things are. Everyone has their own pursuits."
That’s what Baba Oluwo is currently engaged in. The Ooni is preoccupied with development initiatives, hence he has no spare time to address someone seeking attention. We can’t afford to waste our time on such matters. If Baba Oluwo wishes to express his opinions, let him do so. It won’t affect us; we aren’t concerned.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
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