How Oluwo of Iwo chased me Out of his palace like a child – Ooni of Ife

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has recounted an incident where the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi, chased him out of his palace, treating him “like a child.”

The revelation came during a speech the Ooni gave in Yoruba, captured in a video that has been circulating on social media over the weekend.

Ooni Ogunwusi explained that during a visit to Oluwo’s palace in Iwo, he was unexpectedly turned away. “When I visited Oluwo, he chased me out like a child,” Ooni said. He expressed concern about visiting Oluwo again, fearing a repeat of the past experience, while acknowledging his duty to maintain respect and decorum as an elder in the traditional system.

Despite this incident, the Ooni emphasized his commitment to fostering unity among traditional rulers in the Yoruba region and across Nigeria. However, Oba Akanbi has often been at odds with other rulers, especially over his staunch opposition to idol worship. While the Ooni has subtly criticized those who speak against Yoruba traditions, Oba Akanbi has repeatedly asserted that idol worship is foreign to Yoruba culture.

The clash between these two monarchs highlights ongoing debates about the role of tradition and religion in Yoruba leadership.