…the demand follows a viral video in which the Oluwo alleged that the Ooni conspired with his ex-wife, Queen Chanel, to eliminate him.
EDUNABON, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Traditional rulers in Ife-North Local Government Area of Osun State have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, demanding that he provide concrete evidence to support his recent accusation that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, is plotting to assassinate him.
The demand follows a viral video in which the Oluwo alleged that the Ooni conspired with his ex-wife, Queen Chanel, to eliminate him. In the footage, the Oluwo vowed that his rift with the Ooni would persist, sparking outrage across the Yoruba traditional leadership.
Reacting to the explosive claim, a coalition of monarchs under the aegis of Origbo Meje Obas, strongly condemned the Oluwo’s outburst. They described his behaviour as “unbecoming of a traditional ruler” and a calculated attempt to ridicule the Yoruba monarchy.
Speaking at his palace in Edunabon on Thursday, the Salu of Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Kehinde, who spoke on behalf of the group, accused Oluwo of serial misconduct and repeated attacks on the dignity of the revered Oduduwa stool.
“There is no disputing the supremacy of the Ooni of Ife’s throne as the head of all Obas in Yorubaland. Records are available in the archives to verify Oluwo’s numerous public attacks on the Ooni of Ife,” Oba Kehinde said.
He further alleged that the Oluwo has consistently engaged in unbecoming behaviour, including changing his royal titles in a bid to seek media attention.
“It is surprising that Oluwo is the only Oba in Yorubaland who changes his title every six months, from Emir of Iwo to Alaafin of Iwo, just to court publicity. His actions continue to bring disrepute and ridicule to the thrones of Yoruba monarchs,” the Salu of Edunabon said.
The monarchs warned that they would not sit idly by while the sacred institution of kingship in Yorubaland is desecrated by unguarded and unsubstantiated allegations.
They concluded by issuing a firm 21-day ultimatum for the Oluwo to produce verifiable evidence supporting his assassination claims or risk being dragged to court.
“Failure to present proof within the deadline will compel us to seek legal redress. This must stop,” they declared.
The development marks a fresh escalation in what appears to be a deepening rift among prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, with implications for the unity and public perception of the royal institution.
