Document This Now — I May Die Anytime”: Oluwo Declares ‘Ife Is Not Yoruba Origin

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has rejected the long-standing belief that Ile-Ife is the cradle of the Yoruba race.

In a video posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday during the conferment of a chieftaincy title, the monarch argued that the Yoruba people did not originate from Ife, challenging centuries of traditional narratives.

Surrounded by his chiefs, the outspoken ruler said:
“Ife is not the origin of the Yoruba race. The people there don’t even speak our language. Their dialect is different. They call God Eledumare — but there is no such word in Yoruba. What we know is Olodumare. Ile-Ife has no Yoruba culture.”

According to Oba Akanbi, Ife was already inhabited before Oduduwa’s arrival and conquest, stressing that the ancient language of the city was distinct from Yoruba.

He added: “Ife people always say Olofin, which they interpret as ‘owner of the palace.’ But in Yoruba, that simply means Alaafin.”

Describing himself as the Arole Olodumare (custodian of the divine mandate), the monarch insisted his mission is to restore what he calls the true history of the Yoruba people.

“Iwo holds the real history that was never documented. Whatever I tell you now, you must record it because death can come at any time. I do not fear death; it is inevitable,” he declared.

His statement comes amid renewed tensions among Yoruba monarchs.

In August, a row erupted between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, after the Ooni conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi.

The Alaafin, through his aide, issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that the Ooni withdraw the title, insisting no other monarch had the authority to confer titles covering the entire Yorubaland.

But the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, dismissed the ultimatum, saying:
“We cannot dignify the undignifiable with an official response. Let the public judge. Forty-eight hours, my foot!”