- Safiu Kehinde
Chanel Chin, former wife of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, has broken silence over the allegation filed by the Osun monarch against prominent Yoruba monarch, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
NPO Reported that Oba Akanbi had earlier this week accused Ooni of using Chanel to set him up.
The Oluwo, in a video shared on Facebook on Tuesday, claimed that he was introduced to Chanel by Oba Adeyeye.
He alleged that the Ooni of Ife colluded with the ex- Iwo queen to orchestrate his downfall, including alleged assassination plot.
Reacting in a statement issued on Friday, Chanel debunked Oluwo’s allegation against Oba Adeyeye.
She clarified that she was introduced the Oba Akanbi by a Lagos monarch, whose name was not disclosed, and not by the Ooni of Ife.
Chanel maintained that the Lagos monarch, who she described as his royal father, never introduced her to the Oluwo with any ulterior motive.
As against Oluwo’s claim of Ooni accommodating the Chanel, she held that majorly associate with the Lagos monarch who she often visits in Lagos with her son, Prince Oduduwa.
“My attention has been drawn to recent allegations in the media, purportedly involving His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife.
“I categorically state that these claims are false, misleading, and damaging to our sacred Yoruba traditional institution.
“I was introduced to Mr. Akanbi by a respected Lagos Monarch, not by the Ooni of Ife.
“During my time as Olori Oluwo, I regarded this Lagos Monarch as my Royal Father and still do with respect.
“At no time did this Monarch introduce me to Mr. Akanbi for any malicious intent.
“I fondly recall visiting this Monarch and his Olori in Lagos with Mr. Akanbi and baby Prince Oduduwa — cherished memories.” She said.
The former Iwo Queen further accused the Oluwo of neglecting his son, claiming to have been the only one shouldering his responsibility.
She claimed that Oba Akanbi had only recently resurfaced in August, dropping only $500 for the child which she described as the first ever support she had received from the monarch in over five years.
“Mr. Akanbi has been absent from Prince Oduduwa’s life for over five years. He only resurfaced in August this year in Canada, refused to sign passport papers, but dropped $500— the first support Oduduwa ever received from him since we left the palace.
“Despite this, I have shouldered the full responsibility of raising my son, while always advocating for peaceful co-parenting.” She said.
Chanel urged members of the public to disregard the Oluwo’s allegations against Ooni of Ife.
She charged the traditional institution to call Oba Akanbi to order as she reaffirmed her love and respect to Yoruba people.
“I therefore plead with the public to disregard all falsehoods against the Ooni of Ife, our foremost monarch. I also urge the traditional institution to caution Mr. Akanbi from further degrading the sacred throne he once occupied.
“This shall be my final statement on the matter. Prince Oduduwa remains my beloved son, and I hold the Yoruba people in deep love and respect.” Chanel added.