The royal tussle within the Iwo Palace has taken another dramatic turn as Her Royal Highness, Queen Chanel, the former wife of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, issued a strongly worded statement distancing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, from recent allegations made public by the Oluwo.
In a press release on Thursday, Queen Chanel, mother of Prince Oduduwa of Iwo Kingdom, described the claims by her former husband as “lies from the pit of hell,” stressing that the Ooni of Ife remains blameless in the matter.
Denies Ooni’s Involvement
According to her, she was introduced to Mr. Akanbi at a Lagos party by another prominent monarch, not the Ooni of Ife, as widely insinuated. She emphasized that at no point did the said monarch introduce her with any ulterior motive.
“I respectfully regarded this Lagos Monarch as my Royal Father and continue to hold him in that regard till this day,” she said.
Queen Chanel recalled fond memories of visiting the Lagos monarch with Mr. Akanbi and their son, Prince Oduduwa, describing such claims of conspiracy as baseless and malicious.
On Parenting and Neglect
The ex-Olori further revealed that the Oluwo has allegedly failed to play an active role in their son’s life for over five years, both financially and emotionally. She disclosed that it was only in August this year that he made contact during a visit to Canada, offering $500 but declining to sign passport documents necessary for their son’s travel.
“This was the first and only form of support since we left the palace five years ago,” she said, noting that she has since borne full responsibility for her son’s upbringing.
Calls for Restraint
While appealing to the public to disregard what she termed “falsehoods” against the Ooni of Ife, Queen Chanel urged the traditional institution to call the Oluwo to order, warning that continued public disputes could further undermine the dignity of Yoruba royalty.
“This shall be my final statement on matters concerning Mr. Akanbi. Prince Oduduwa remains my beloved son, and nothing will ever change that fact,” she declared.
The Oluwo of Iwo is yet to officially respond to these latest allegations.
