By Erewunmi Peace

Traditional rulers in Ife North, Osun State, have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, demanding that he prove his recent allegations against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, or face legal action.

The Oluwo had accused the Ooni of conspiring with his former Canadian wife to poison him—an allegation that has since stirred controversy within Yorubaland.

Speaking on behalf of the monarchs under the Origbo Meje Obas, the Akire of Ikire-Ile, Oba Abdul-Rauf Adedeji, said the statement made by the Oluwo was defamatory and damaging to the dignity of the Ooni’s throne.

“We give him 21 days to either petition the Inspector General of Police, or institute legal action against the Ooni to prove his claim. Otherwise, we shall take legal steps against him for denigrating the revered stool of the Ooni,” the monarchs declared.

The monarchs further emphasized that such unverified claims threaten the unity and respect of Yoruba traditional institutions, calling on the Oluwo to either substantiate his allegations or retract them.

As of press time, neither the Ooni’s palace nor the Oluwo had issued fresh official statements in response to the ultimatum.