Disregard Statement Threatening Oba Akiolu With Ancestors’ Wrath – Ooni of Ife

The Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has dissociated himself from a statement credited to one Tunde Awoyemi, who claimed to be the Director of Tourism, Ooni’s Palace, threatening to call on the ancestors if Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu does not tender an apology to the Ooni for “snubbing” him at a function earlier in the week in Lagos.

According to a statement from the Ooni’s Palace and signed by Mr. Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Public Relations, Ooni’s Palace, reiterated that Ooni has no official reaction to the issue of Oba Akiolu.

“The Palace  of Ooni is using this medium to dissociate Ooni of Ife from the statement credited to Mr Tunde Awoyemi and we have said it repeatedly that we have no official reaction to the issue of Oba Akiolu.

“Kabiyesi Ogunwusi is committed to his peace and unity agenda, which he has embarked on since he ascended the throne of his forefathers.

“We refrain from reacting officially, with a view to avoiding fanning any ember of discord as Oba Akiolu remains​ respected monarch and the Ooni had established a very robust and healthy relationship with him before his installation as Ooni of Ife.

“While Ooni would continue to sustain the relationship with Oba Akiolu, we want to state categorically that the remark credited to Tunde Awoyemi was not authorised by Ooni and should be disregarded by all Nigerians both at home and in diaspora.

Prior to Awoyemi’s statement, Olafare had told the media that Ooni was not ready to issue any official statement on the matter and that the Ooni still holds his Lagos counterpart in high esteem.