Osun Monarchs Give Oluwo 21 Days To Retract Assassination Allegation Against Ooni

Traditional rulers in the Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State have given Abdulrasheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, a 21-day deadline to withdraw his accusations against Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.

The dispute began on Tuesday after the Oluwo openly accused the Ooni of plotting against him with his ex-wife, Queen Channel.

Akanbi alleged that Ogunwusi conspired with his ex-wife, who he was married to for three years, to poison him and even plan his assassination.

He further claimed that during their marriage, Queen Channel was constantly in contact with the Ooni.

According to him, after their separation, the Ooni allegedly provided her with accommodation and later met her at a hotel. The Oluwo promised to produce evidence to back his claims.

On Thursday, a group of monarchs under the aegis of “Origbo Meje Obas” condemned the Oluwo’s outburst, saying his conduct was unbefitting of a traditional ruler, especially one of his status.

In a statement signed by Oba Adesoji Oladepo, the Salu of Edunabon, the rulers described Akanbi’s remarks as an insult to the Ooni and a dent on the image of Yoruba traditional leadership.

They expressed disappointment that a descendant of Luwo Gbagida, a former Ooni, would treat the current occupant of the throne with such disrespect.

The council challenged the Oluwo to formally submit his allegations and evidence to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

They made it clear that he must either retract his claims or petition the police within 21 days, warning that if he fails to do so, legal action will follow.

Speaking at his palace in Edunabon, the Salu of Edunabon said, “There is no gainsaying about the supremacy of the throne of the Ooni of Ife as the Head of all Obas in Yorubaland. Records are in the archive for verifications regarding the outbursts of Oluwo of Iwoland against the Ooni of Ife.

“Therefore it is surprising that Oluwo is the only Oba in Yoruba land that is changing his title in every six months from Emir of Iwo to Alaafin of Iwo to gain undue media recognition and the actions of Oluwo is bringing disrepute and ridicule to the thrones of all Obas in Yorubaland.

“We hereby give the Oluwo 21 days to substantiate his claims against the Ooni, failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to take legal action against him at the expiration of this ultimatum,”

The rulers also recalled the Oluwo’s history of controversies, including his six-month suspension from the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers after a physical altercation with the Agbowu of Ogbaagba.

Other signatories to the letter included Oba Mufutau Oyekanmi, the Alasipa of Asipa; Oba Meshach Oyediran, the Olulamokun of Yakooyo; and Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, the Alakinlalu of Akinlalu.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, previously accused the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, of trying to remove him from his position.