Royal fathers from Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, under the aegis of Origbo Meje Obas, have given the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, 21 days to prove his allegations against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, or face legal action.
Speaking on behalf of the group at a press briefing on Thursday, the Acting Vice Chairman of Ife North Traditional Council, Oba Kehinde Adesoji, accused the Oluwo of denigrating the stool of the Ooni and demanded a public retraction.
Adesoji, the Salu of Edun Abon, who was flanked by the Olulamokun of Yakooyo, Oba Meshach Oyediran, and the Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, described as defamatory the Oluwo’s recent claim that the Ooni conspired with his ex-wife to poison him.
“There is no gainsaying the supremacy of the throne of the Ooni of Ife as the head of all Obas in Yorubaland. 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,” Adesoji said.
The monarchs recalled the 2019 suspension of the Oluwo from the Osun State Council of Obas after he allegedly assaulted the Agbowu of Ogbaagba during a dispute that later required the intervention of the Ooni and the police.
“The Ooni of Ife ratified the decision of the council to suspend the Oluwo for six months. That action was applauded globally. For the Oluwo now to accuse the Ooni of conspiracy to poison him is not only untrue but criminal,” Adesoji added.
The council insisted that the Oluwo must either write to the Inspector-General of Police to pursue his allegation or initiate legal action against the Ooni within 21 days.
“Otherwise, the Origbo Meje Obas will take legal action against him at the expiration of the ultimatum,” the Salu warned.
