To say that Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, loves controversy is putting it mildly. The monarch is the true definition of a controversial personality.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to recall a particular positive story about him since he became monarch of the ancient town of Iwo in Osun State a decade ago, as he has consistently rolled in the mud of controversy. Already, some of his actions and comical displays in public are reportedly becoming a grave concern for his subjects.
A few days ago, in his usual character, he stirred a hornet’s nest when he decided to call out the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Ogunwusi, whom he has been feuding with.
On social media, he alleged that the Ooni conspired with his former wife to assassinate him, but he was lucky to escape the assassination attempt. Rather than dignifying him with a response, the Ooni chose to ignore him as usual. However, Chanel, his former wife and mother of his first son, Prince Oduduwa, wouldn’t have any of it as she responded to his accusations,
“My attention has been drawn to recent allegations circulating in the media and public space, purportedly involving His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife,” she wrote on social media. “I wish to categorically state that such statements are venomously untrue, misleading, and highly damaging to the sacred institution of culture and traditional affairs in Yorubaland.
“For the avoidance of doubt: I was introduced to Mr Akanbi by a popular Lagos monarch at a party in Ikeja, not by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife.
During my time as Olori Oluwo, I respectfully regarded this Lagos monarch as my royal father and continue to hold him in that regard to this day. At no time did this monarch introduce me to Mr Akanbi to unalive him or with any malicious intent.”
She also disclosed that the Oluwo has not been involved in the life of his son, Prince Oduduwa, emotionally or financially for over five years.
“He only reached out in August this year during a visit to Canada. On that occasion, he refused to sign the necessary documents for Oduduwa to obtain his Canadian passport, yet he dropped the sum of $500 as if to cover up for his long absence. But I was thankful because this is the first support Oduduwa received from his father since we left the palace 5 years ago. Despite this, I remained silent because I have always advocated for peaceful co-parenting and have continued to shoulder the full responsibility of ensuring that my son does not lack his basic needs.”
She asked the public to discard the falsehoods and urged the traditional institution to bring the Oluwo to order.
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