The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, recently shared a startling revelation in a viral TikTok video. He disclosed that during a visit to the Oluwo of Iwo’s palace, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, he was surprisingly asked to leave.
In the video, Ogunwusi recounted, “My experience with Oluwo was quite unusual. He requested my departure in a manner reminiscent of chastising a child. Since then, I’ve maintained a cautious distance. Now that you’re urging me to revisit him, I’m apprehensive about potential repercussions.”
The Ooni’s statement alluded to underlying tensions between the two respected Osun State monarchs. Sources indicate that Oluwo has been critical of Ooni’s interactions with traditionalists, whom he views as idol worshippers.
In a separate video, Oluwo, also known as Telu 1, emphasized his commitment to promoting Islamic values in Iwo. He urged his people to reject traditional practices, stressing that his role as a monarch is to advocate for monotheism.
“I do not participate in festivals honoring deities, including the Egungun celebration, which I previously attended. I discourage such activities, ensuring they don’t thrive in Iwo,” Oluwo stated. “Instead, I encourage challenging idolatry to become a soldier of God.”
On Facebook, Oluwo clarified Iwo’s historical transformation from a traditional monarchy to an Islamic-based leadership. He cited Oba Memudu Ayinla Lamuye’s conversion of the town to Islam in 1800.
“Iwo’s Islamic roots date back to 1600 when Oba Ibirinade Abioye Adekanbi introduced the faith and established the first Mosque in South Western Nigeria,” Oluwo wrote. “Today, every compound in Iwo has a Mosque, and every indigene bears a Muslim name.”
This development is not the first reported rift between the two monarchs. In 2018, Oluwo alleged that Ooni’s bodyguard pushed him at a meeting of traditional rulers in Port Harcourt. Ooni, however, denied the allegation, stating that no altercation occurred.
The incident highlights the complexities of inter-monarch relationships and the diverse perspectives on traditional and religious practices in Nigeria’s rich cultural landscape.
