By Ayodele Oni
Oluwo of Iwo, in Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, is in trouble. He has come under serious condemnation following his accusations against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Oba Akanbi had shockingly alleged that the Ooni and his (Oluwo’s) Canadian estranged wife were not only in an untidy relationship but had planned to get rid of him through poison.
But in a swift response to the allegations, Royal Fathers from Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, under the aegis of Origbo Meje Obas, on Thursday gave the Oluwo of Iwo, a 21-day ultimatum to substantiate allegations against Oba Ogunwusi, or face a lawsuit.
The Royal Fathers listed past unbecoming behaviours of Oluwo which they said were against Yoruba tradition and culture once earned him a suspension from the Osun state Traditional Council.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the Origbo Meje Obas, the Acting Vice Chairman of the 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.
Recalling the issue, 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 Yoruba land.
“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 stated that the Oluwo recent 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.
Recall that Akanbi, in another video released on his social media handles on Tuesday, declared that his feud with the Ooni is just beginning and would continue.
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