How Oluwo Begged, Collected ₦2.5m Twice From Ooni Before Becoming King – Obalufe

The Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura, has revealed how the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, begged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for financial assistance before ascending the throne.

Speaking in an interview with Dtruth Insights on Thursday, Obalufe, who is the second-in-command to the Ooni, alleged that the Oluwo received ₦2.5 million on two different occasions from the Ooni, alongside a car, in his bid to become the king of Iwo.

He dismissed Oluwo’s recent claims that he played a crucial role in installing the Ooni, insisting that the Oluwo of Iwo was financially assisted by the Ooni to ascend his throne.

Genesis Of The Dispute

The controversy began when the Oluwo recently claimed that he was instrumental in securing the Ooni’s throne in 2015.

He alleged that he used his connections to facilitate the Ooni’s selection and even intervened in a court case that could have disrupted the process.

According to the Oluwo, he was approached by Akin Daodu, an ally of the Ooni, for assistance.

He claimed that his prior relationship with the Ogunwusi family, especially with the Ooni’s brother, Tunji Ogunwusi, played a role in influencing the outcome of the selection process.

However, the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, swiftly dismissed these claims, stating that the selection of an Ooni involves 16 kingmakers, consultations with the Ifa oracle, and government approval.

He challenged the Oluwo to provide evidence of his alleged influence.

Obalufe’s Revelation

Countering the Oluwo’s narrative, Obalufe said it was, in fact, the Ooni who assisted the Oluwo financially when he was seeking the throne.

“I heard him saying that he made the Ooni. That is false. When he wanted to become king, it was the Ooni who gave him a car. The same car he used in his bid for the throne was provided by the Ooni.

“When we gave him the car, he cried that he had no money. The first ₦2.5 million that he collected from the Ooni, I still have the document. Two weeks later, he collected another ₦2.5 million. I have all the evidence,” Obalufe said.

He added that Oluwo was merely a figurehead who should not be taken seriously, stating that all the crowns the Oluwo wears originated from Ile-Ife.

According to Obalufe, “The monarch cannot respond to this. Oluwo is not a Yoruba monarch in the true sense. What he is saying is not from him; it is a ploy by some individuals to incite religious crisis in Yorubaland. Ooni is far beyond the reach of Oluwo for ridicule. I even heard him claim that he made the Ooni a monarch — an outright falsehood.

“I was already on the throne when he was aspiring to become a king. In fact, it was the Ooni who gave Oluwo a car — the very car he used during his quest to ascend the throne. When we gave him that car, he wept, lamenting his financial struggles. We have solid evidence of this.

“The first N2.5 million he collected from the Ooni is well-documented, and I still have the records. Barely two weeks later, he collected another N2.5 million from the Ooni, and I have the evidence of that as well.

“Anyone discerning enough can see that Oluwo is not acting as a true monarch; he is merely a figurehead. We should simply observe him, but he must understand that the Ooni is far beyond his level of disrespect. Even the crowns he parades all trace their roots to Ile-Ife. Historically, the first woman to become Oluwo did so through Ile-Ife. Oluwo must remember that respect is non-negotiable, especially when it comes to the revered Ooni.”

Support for Ife’s Governorship Bid

Meanwhile, beyond the issue, Obalufe praised the Ooni for his efforts in promoting Yoruba tradition and culture.

He also expressed support for the ongoing call by Ife youths for an indigene of Ile-Ife to become the governor of Osun State, stating that such a development would be beneficial to the ancient town.