The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has recounted a past encounter with the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, during a visit to his palace.
In a video trending on Sunday, Oba Ogunwusi shared that the Oluwo treated him disrespectfully, driving him out of the palace as if he were a child.
“When I visited Oluwo, he chased me out like a child,” the Ooni explained. He added that since that event, he has kept his distance from Oba Akanbi. Speaking on the possibility of visiting the Oluwo again, Oba Ogunwusi said, “Now that you people are imploring that I visit him again, what if he does what he likes to me?”
Despite this, the Ooni expressed his responsibility to handle the Oluwo’s actions with maturity. “But I have to contain his excesses as an elder, although I am a young person sitting on the throne of the elders. Oluwo, I greet you,” he stated.
Although the Ooni didn’t provide further details about the specific incident, it is widely known that Oba Akanbi’s views often clash with traditional Yoruba customs. The Oluwo has repeatedly emphasized that his domain is centered on Islam, leading to disagreements with other Yoruba leaders who uphold traditional practices.
In the past, there was also tension between the two monarchs. In 2018, Oba Akanbi accused the Ooni’s bodyguard of pushing him at an event in Port Harcourt, reportedly acting under the Ooni’s orders. However, Oba Ogunwusi denied these allegations.
