By Abdulmajeed Abdullateef
April 24, 2025
A storm is brewing in the royal courts of Osun State, as a simmering feud between two prominent Yoruba monarchs—the Oluwo of Iwo and the Ooni of Ife—continues to raise eyebrows. What started as a quiet disagreement has now escalated into a public war of words, with implications for tradition, unity, and the revered royal institutions in Nigeria.
The Yoruba traditional institution, long known for its cultural depth and historical prestige, is now witnessing an unusual public confrontation. Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, has made a series of bold and sometimes controversial statements, directly challenging the authority and stature of Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.
While rivalries among Yoruba monarchs are not new, such as the well-known tension between the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Olubuse Sijuwade, and the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, this current rift is gaining attention for its persistence and public nature.
Since his ascension to the throne, Oluwo Akanbi has openly aligned himself with the legacy of the late Alaafin, often praising his influence over that of the Ooni. In various public events, he has referred to the Alaafin as a stronger rallying point for the Yoruba people, dismissing the Ooni’s perceived leadership role.
In 2018, tensions flared further when the Oluwo accused a bodyguard of the Ooni of pushing him at a high-profile event in Port Harcourt. The Ooni’s palace, through spokesperson Moses Olafare, firmly denied the incident, insisting it was a misunderstanding blown out of proportion.
More provocatively, the Oluwo has claimed ancestral ties that would make an Iwo prince eligible to become the Ooni—a bold assertion that challenges historical royal lineage narratives. He also declared that the Oluwo throne is “ancient and unconquered.”
In 2020, after being suspended for six months from the Osun State Council of Obas following a dispute with another monarch, the Oluwo initially dismissed the suspension as invalid but eventually complied.
Most recently, Oluwo accused the Ooni of attempting to orchestrate his removal, a claim that sparked concern within the traditional council. He claimed familiarity with the Ooni’s family, stating he is older and closer to the Ooni’s elder brother, Tunji Ogunwusi.
These declarations have stirred reactions from other monarchs. Oba Akinwande Ogundana, the Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ekiti, urged the Osun State Government to caution the Oluwo, calling his remarks derogatory and harmful to the prestige of the royal stool.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has also weighed in, emphasizing the importance of royal fathers as agents of peace and unity. In a statement by his spokesperson, the governor warned traditional rulers to avoid public spats that could ignite communal tension.
“Monarchs are expected to be symbols of harmony,” Adeleke said. “They should guide, not divide. Internal disputes must never be allowed to spill into the public domain.”
As the drama unfolds, many are calling for restraint, urging all royal stakeholders to focus on preserving the cultural values and unity that Yoruba monarchies represent.
What’s your take on the royal tensions in Osun? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned to NIGPOST for more in-depth coverage of cultural and political events shaping Nigeria’s traditional institutions.
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