Owing that monarchs are the deputies of the gods, they are naturally expected to comport themselves.
Indeed, there have been occasions where they fail to honour this tenant, leading to the disrepute of their exalted office, and crown.
One such situation is the embarrassing moment that took place in 2017 between Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife and the Eleko of Eko, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu.
Then, the manner with which Oba Akiolu shunned the younger Ooni Ogunwusi at a public event in Lagos State became a talking point, with many criticizing the Lagos monarch for being rude to the Ooni who is universally regarded as the pre-eminent Oba in Yoruba land.
A similar face-off between two monarchs is presently brewing, this time, between the duo of Oba Ogunwusi and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi.
Not known to share too many similarities except being monarchs and from the Yoruba region, Oba Akanbi is very verbose and known for playing to the gallery, while the Onirisa is known for his composure, elegance and style.
The face-off between the duo has seen Oba Akanbi lashing out at the Ooni of Ife, accusing him of plotting his downfall, despite his role in helping the Ooni ascend the throne in 2015.
Claiming that he played a significant role in securing Oba Ogunwusi’s appointment, by helping him resolve a court case that could have hindered his installation, Oba Akanbi lamented that the Ooni had since worked against him, including facilitating his suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas.
Speaking at a Ramadan lecture in Iwo and confirmed by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Alli, the Oluwo detailed his involvement in the ”Ooni’s rise.’
“In 2015, I got a call from Akin Daodu, a close ally of the then Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi, now Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi. He told me Prince Adeyeye was on the phone, and that he needed to talk and seek my help regarding his aspiration to the throne of Ooni of Ife. I knew him then, but I was closer to his brother, Tunji Ogunwusi, who was my peer. Tunji Ogunwusi, popularly called Dodo, and I are about eight years older than the Ooni.
“As a friend and peer, I had earlier called Tunji Ogunwusi to help him ascend the throne, but he underrated me and refused to take me seriously.
“We discussed, and he (Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi at the time) disclosed that almost all the stakeholders, including Governor Aregbesola, had agreed to his appointment, but there was a court case instituted by a few aggrieved individuals against him. He said his primary concern was the litigation. I asked him if that was all, and he said yes. I told him he was already a king.
“In his presence, I called the person in charge and told them what I wanted. The case was decided on Friday, and Adeyeye became Ooni on Saturday. This was before my enthronement. I was not selfish. I secured his own before mine. And a few months later, God used the same link for me to become the Oluwo of Iwoland.”
Expressing his disappointment, Oluwo alleged that the Ooni had since turned against him.
“To my surprise, the same person I helped ascend the throne has been planning evil against me. He orchestrated my suspension from the Osun State Council of Obas meeting.
“He is using a few kings in Iwoland to destabilise my territory. He attacked me last month in the presence of the governor, saying that I am discouraging idol worship. He was part of those who used my former wife against me.
“He wants me to be removed as Oluwo by all means. Such a dream can never come true. No one can remove me as Oluwo. No one can kill me, and no one can bring me down, except if I didn’t help him become the Ooni,” Oba Akanbi lamented.
Typical, the Ooni of Ife has reacted to the attack. He dismissed Oluwo’s claims via his Director of Media, Chief Moses Olafare, stating that the palace had no intention of responding to the accusations.
“This is not the first time Baba Oluwo will make comments like that. We never reacted, and we won’t react. Let him say whatever he wants. That is what he is busy doing. Everybody has something they are busy with.
“That is what Baba Oluwo is busy doing. Ooni is busy with developmental projects, so he is occupied and doesn’t have time to respond to someone looking for attention. We don’t have time for that. Whatever Baba Oluwo likes, let him say. We are not interested.”
No doubt, the gods must be alarmed by the face-off of the monarchs.
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