Origbo Meje Obas Issue 21-Day Ultimatum to Oluwo of Iwo to Substantiate Allegations Against Ooni of Ife or Face Suit
Royal fathers from Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, under the aegis of the Origbo Meje Obas, have issued a 21‑day ultimatum to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi. The monarch was directed to substantiate allegations he made against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, or face legal action.
Speaking on behalf of the Origbo Meje Obas, the Acting Vice Chairman of the Ife North Traditional Council, Oba Kehinde Adesoji, the Salu of Edun Abon, accused the Oluwo of denigrating the revered stool of the Ooni. He demanded a full retraction of the allegations levelled against Oba Ogunwusi.
Oba Adesoji, flanked by the Olulamokun of Yakooyo, Oba Meshach Oyediran, and the Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, recalled what he described as past misconduct by Oba Akanbi. He specifically condemned the Oluwo’s claim that the Ooni conspired with his former wife to poison him, describing it as defamatory and damaging to the dignity of the throne.
The Salu further referenced the 2019 incident that led to the suspension of the Oluwo from the Council of Obas. He stressed that the supremacy of the Ooni of Ife as the head of all Obas in Yorubaland was beyond dispute, and that records exist to verify the Oluwo’s repeated outbursts against the Ooni.
He criticised Oba Akanbi’s penchant for changing his titles, from “Emir of Iwo” to “Alaafin of Iwo,” alleging that such actions were calculated to attract undue media attention. According to him, these antics have brought ridicule and disrepute to the traditional institution in Yorubaland.
The Origbo Meje Obas also recalled the violent altercation in which the Oluwo allegedly attacked the Agbowu of Ogbaagba during a peace meeting convened by the AIG Zone XI, Osogbo. The Agbowu was hospitalised, prompting an emergency session of the Council of Obas chaired by the Ooni of Ife. After deliberations, the Council found the Oluwo culpable and suspended him for six months, a decision ratified by the Ooni.
Oba Adesoji emphasised that the Oluwo’s recent allegation of attempted poisoning amounted to a criminal accusation. He declared: “He who alleges must prove. On this note, we are giving the Oluwo of Iwo a 21‑day ultimatum to either petition the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, or institute legal proceedings against the Ooni of Ife. Failing this, the Origbo Meje Obas will commence legal action at the expiration of the ultimatum.”
It will be recalled that Oba Akanbi, in a video released on his social media platforms earlier in the week, vowed that his feud with the Ooni of Ife would continue, further escalating tensions within the traditional institution.
