The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, recently disclosed that he was ejected during a visit to the palace of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi. This surprising revelation surfaced in a viral video.
In his remarks, the Ooni expressed, “When I visited Oluwo, he chased me out like a child. Since that incident, I have kept my distance from him. Now that you are urging me to visit him again, I am concerned about how he might behave towards me.”
He further acknowledged his position’s responsibilities, stating, “I must manage his excesses as an elder, despite my youth as a monarch. Oluwo, I extend my greetings to you.”
Though Ogunwusi did not address any ongoing feud and both monarchs hold esteemed positions in Osun State, reports indicate discontent from Oluwo regarding the Ooni’s affiliation with traditionalists, whom he has referred to as “idol worshippers.”
In a separate video, Oluwo, also known as Telu 1, urged residents of Iwo to reject traditional practices and insisted that individuals engaging in such behavior should do so privately. He articulated, “My role as a monarch is to advocate for God alone and confront those who worship other entities. I do not participate in Ogun or idol festivals anymore.”
Oluwo also elaborated on the historical context of Islam in Iwo. He noted that Iwo was once under traditional monarchs, but the conversion to Islam, initiated by past rulers, led to the establishment of mosques across the town.
He elaborated in a recent post, “Oba Ibirinade Abioye Adekanbi brought Islam to Iwo in 1600 and transformed places of idol worship into the Oluwo Central Mosque, marking the establishment of the first mosque in Southwestern Nigeria.” He emphasized the significant impact these historical transformations have had on the contemporary religious landscape in Iwo, where every household has a mosque.
Furthermore, Akanbi previously accused Ogunwusi of physically pushing him aside during a traditional rulers’ meeting, a charge that the Ooni has vehemently denied, asserting there was no altercation at the event.
This ongoing dialogue highlights the complexities of traditional leadership and cultural practices within the region, shedding light on the dynamic interactions between these notable monarchs.
