In a recent online video, an unidentified middle-aged man has come forward, asserting that he is the biological son of Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the revered Ooni of Ife.
Clad in a traditional white Agbada, the man alleges that the monarch concealed his existence and instructed him to remain hidden.
The palace of the Ooni of Ife has swiftly refuted these claims, denouncing the man as an impersonator. The individual in question insists that the monarch’s silence regarding his royal lineage has compelled him to make the video, demanding recognition as the son of Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
Expressing his frustration, he reveals, “Every time I attempt to visit the palace, I am turned away, being told that it is not yet time. But now is the time. My mother may choose to remain silent, but I feel compelled to speak the truth. The king is my biological father. I want the world to know.”
Furthermore, the man issues a two-month ultimatum, urging the palace to invite him for a meeting. Failure to comply, he threatens to disclose additional revelations.
Responding to the video, Moses Olafare, the spokesperson for the Ooni, released a statement on Thursday. Olafare assured the public that the matter had been reported to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and action.
Highlighting the Ooni’s commitment as a responsible father and custodian of tradition, Olafare affirms that the monarch acknowledges all of his children and will assume full responsibility for them. He firmly asserts that the self-proclaimed prince is unknown to the palace and the people of Ile-Ife, stating, “He is not a child of Ooni Ogunwusi, as fraudulently claimed, and has no ancestral connection to the Ogunwusi royal family or the Giesi Royal Compound of Ile-Ife.”
Olafare concludes by admonishing the impersonator to refrain from engaging in or promoting deceptive practices. He assures the public that the House of Oduduwa remains dedicated to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, vowing to take action against any attempt to undermine or tarnish its legacy through fraudulent means.
