His Royal Majesty, Oba Idowu Olaniyi Adediwura, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, has strongly refuted the controversial claims made by the Oluwo of Iwo Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi against the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
Speaking in an exclusive media chat at his palace in Ile-Ife, the Obalufe dismissed Oluwo's remarks as baseless, stating that they were influenced by external forces attempting to incite discord within Yorubaland.
Obalufe emphasized that the Ooni of Ife remains the undisputed custodian of Yoruba heritage and questioned Oluwo's credibility in making such statements. He stated:
"It would be beneath the Ooni’s status to dignify Oluwo’s reckless statements with a response. However, as one of the key traditional authorities in Ile-Ife, I must set the record straight. Oluwo is not a Yoruba Oba in the true sense, and his utterances are driven by ulterior motives.
"His claims of installing the Ooni and financially assisting him are outright falsehoods. In reality, I personally witnessed the generosity of Ooni towards Oluwo during his coronation. The vehicle he uses was a donation from the Ooni, and I have evidence of the financial assistance extended to him at a time when he needed support."
Reacting to Oluwo’s claim that the Ooni is attempting to orchestrate his removal from the throne, Obalufe dismissed this as yet another falsehood, asserting that the Ooni has no interest in such actions and that the claim is part of a broader effort to create division among Yoruba rulers.
"Oluwo’s claim that the Ooni is attempting to orchestrate his removal is nothing but another falsehood. The Ooni has no interest in such actions, nor does he interfere in the affairs of other rulers. This is simply part of a broader effort to create division among Yoruba monarchs, and we will not allow such distractions to take root."
He further suggested that Oluwo's actions could be attributed to external sponsorships aimed at destabilizing Yoruba unity, adding:
"Every right-thinking Yoruba person knows that the Oluwo’s statements are inflammatory and do not represent the values of our culture. His actions are unbecoming of a traditional ruler and are harmful to the sacredness of Yoruba leadership. The Ooni of Ife, as the Arole Oduduwa, commands the respect of all Yoruba monarchs, and no amount of baseless accusations can change that."
The Obalufe underscored the significance of the Ooni’s leadership and his ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Yoruba heritage. He noted that Ooni Ogunwusi has been instrumental in fostering unity among Yoruba traditional rulers, strengthening cultural preservation, and expanding the global recognition of Yoruba traditions.
"His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has worked tirelessly to unify Yoruba monarchs. His influence extends beyond Nigeria, as seen in the numerous international delegations he has sent to represent Ile-Ife and the Yoruba people. Under his reign, many cultural sites in Ife that were once abandoned have been revitalized, further proving his dedication to our heritage."
Speaking on his own ascension, Obalufe explained that the title of Obalufe rotates among four ruling houses within the Ile Orunto lineage—Ajagbusi, Adogbodo, Aga, and Jaojo. He highlighted that his family, Ajagbusi, was historically the original custodian of the title before the introduction of the rotational system in 1818.
Addressing the legal battle that once challenged his position, he expressed gratitude for the recent Court of Appeal ruling, which reaffirmed his rightful place as Obalufe.
"The legal proceedings were part of life’s challenges, but in the end, justice prevailed. More importantly, all parties have now embraced peace, and we are working together for the progress of Ile-Ife."
The Obalufe also discussed the broader challenges facing traditional institutions, particularly the influence of colonial-era laws that have undermined the roles of monarchs. He called for legal reforms that would restore the authority and dignity of traditional rulers.
"It is unacceptable that the welfare of Yoruba kings is placed under the control of local governments. Traditional institutions should be given constitutional recognition that reflects their historical significance and authority."
On the future of Ile-Ife, he reaffirmed his commitment to fostering peace, supporting youth empowerment, and driving cultural and economic development.
"My greatest fulfillment is being a peacemaker. As I approach nine years on this throne, my legacy will be one of unity, development, and the advancement of our great heritage. Under the leadership of the Ooni, we will continue to uphold the values of Ile-Ife and ensure a prosperous future for our people."
When asked about Ife’s political aspirations, particularly the call for an Ife indigene to become governor of Osun State, the Obalufe affirmed that it aligns with the wishes of the traditional rulers. However, he stressed that unity among political stakeholders is essential for this vision to materialize.
"Ife people have the voting power to determine the leadership of Osun, but our strength lies in unity. If we come together with a common goal, we can achieve the representation and development that Ile-Ife rightfully deserves.", Obalufe stated.
Post a Comment