Osun monarchs under the Origbo Meje Obas have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, demanding proof or retraction of his poisoning allegation against the Ooni of Ife
Osun Monarchs Issue 21-Day Ultimatum to Oluwo of Iwo Over Defamatory Allegations Against Ooni of Ife
Traditional rulers from Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, under the aegis of Origbo Meje Obas, have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, demanding that he substantiate or retract his allegations against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
At a press briefing held on Thursday, the Acting Vice Chairman of the Ife North Traditional Council, Oba Kehinde Adesoji, the Salu of Edun Abon, said the Oluwo’s claims amounted to defamation of the Ooni’s throne, which remains the apex seat of Yoruba kingship.
Flanked by other prominent monarchs, including the Olulamokun of Yakooyo, Oba Meshach Oyediran, and the Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, Oba Adesoji condemned the Oluwo’s conduct, describing his recent claim that the Ooni conspired with his estranged wife to poison him as “false, damaging, and criminal in nature.”
“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,” Oba Adesoji stated.
The monarch further accused the Oluwo of being notorious for seeking undue media attention:
“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 Yorubaland.”
Recalling past controversies, the Salu of Edun Abon reminded journalists that the Oluwo had been suspended from the Council of Obas in 2019 after physically assaulting the Agbowu of Ogbaagba during a peace meeting chaired by the Ooni of Ife and attended by senior police officers.
“After carefully listening to the explanations of all parties, the Council found the Oluwo guilty and resolved that he be suspended for six months. That decision was ratified by the Ooni of Ife, who received applause globally for upholding discipline and dignity within Yoruba royalty,” he said.
The Origbo Meje Obas maintained that the Oluwo’s fresh allegations amount to a criminal accusation that must be proven or withdrawn.
“He who alleges must prove. On this note, we are giving the Oluwo of Iwo a 21-day ultimatum to either write to the Inspector General of Police or sue our father, the Ooni of Ife. Otherwise, the Origbo Meje Obas will initiate legal action against him once the ultimatum expires,” Oba Adesoji declared.
The controversy deepened earlier this week after Oba Akanbi released a video on social media insisting that his feud with the Ooni of Ife would not end.
The development has sparked heated debate within Yoruba traditional circles, with many observers warning that the Oluwo’s repeated confrontations risk undermining the unity, heritage, and dignity of the revered Yoruba monarchy. Read More
