Oluwo Chased Me from His Palace, says Ooni of Ife

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has disclosed that he was once chased out by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, when he visited the Oluwo’s palace.

Ooni made this revelation in a viral video on TikTok on Sunday, where he narrated his experience.

Speaking in a lighthearted tone, he said, “When I visited Oluwo, he chased me out like a child. Since that incident, I have kept my distance from him. Now, you people (the audience) are asking me to visit him again. What if he does as he pleases once more? But I must contain his behavior as an elder, even though I am young, sitting on the throne of the elders. Oluwo, I greet you.”

Although Ooni Ogunwusi did not indicate any ongoing feud with Oba Akanbi, investigations suggest that the Oluwo has been displeased with the Ooni’s close ties with traditionalists, whom Oluwo has repeatedly criticized as ‘idol worshippers.’

In a separate video, Oluwo, popularly known as Telu 1, admonished the people of Iwo to reject traditional practices. He cautioned that anyone engaging in such rituals should do so privately.

“As a king, my duty is to stand for God and preach His word. I do not engage in idol worship or celebrate traditional festivals like Ogun. Yes, I once participated in the Egungun festival, but I will never do so again unless they stop referring to it as idol worship,” Oluwo stated.

“In Iwo, no one performs sacrifices in public. If anyone does, they must consume it or take it to their own homes. We have enforced sanitation measures to prevent these activities.”

Oluwo further clarified his position in a Facebook post on Monday, stating that Iwo ceased to be governed by a traditional ruler after Oba Memudu Ayinla Lamuye spread Islam in the town in the 1800s.

He explained, “Oba Ibirinade Abioye Adekanbi brought Islam to Iwo in 1600, clearing out idols and converting the shrine to the Oluwo Central Mosque. Later, Oba Memudu Ayinla Lamuye expanded Islam’s reach in the 1800s, converting the entire town to the faith. That’s why every compound in Iwo has a mosque, and most Iwo indigenes bear Muslim names.”

Oluwo also addressed a previous incident from 2018 when he accused the Ooni of Ife’s bodyguard of pushing him at a gathering of traditional rulers in Port Harcourt.

He recounted, “During a meeting in Port Harcourt, Ooni’s bodyguard pushed me aside just as the Ooni was about to give a vote of thanks. This occurred at the Presidential Hotel, shocking the dignitaries present.”

However, Ooni’s palace, through a statement by Moses Olafare, the director of public affairs, refuted Oluwo’s claims.

Ooni Ogunwusi maintained that there was no confrontation, stating, “There was no altercation between Oluwo and anyone at that event.”

This back-and-forth between the two prominent monarchs continues to spark conversations, especially given their significant influence in Osun State.