Spokesperson to the Ooni of Ife said the monarch gave his estranged wife, Queen Naomi, a car as a Christmas present
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, bought a new car as a Christmas gift for his wife, Queen Naomi, hours before she served him a divorce notice on social media.
This was made known by Moses Olafare, the Spokesperson to the Ooni of Ife when addressing the news of the separation.
According to him, Ooni of Ife, who was far away in Lagos participating in a three-day music program at the Muson Centre, when the news of the divorce surfaced on social media.
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He went on to say that the news was an unexpected one as the monarch had no issue with Queen Naomi before embarking on the Lagos trip.
He added that the 47-year-old king got the wife a new car as a Christmas gift, which is an indication that everything was going on smoothly until the notice of divorce surfaced on her Instagram page.
The Spokesperson said: “Marriage is a private affair between two spouses and the marriage will come with an agreement between the two and if the marriage is to be dissolved it will also come upon the agreement between the two, so to that effect, the palace is not aware of the separation between the Queen and Ooni of Ife because even Kabiyesi only saw it on social media like everybody.
“A night before yesterday when everyone went to bed there was no indication to warrant the reported separation of the marriage, in fact, that previous day was when Kabiyesi brought a brand new car to serve as a Christmas gift to the queen so if u are planning to separate with your wife tomorrow why will you buy a car for her today.
“And so it became a surprise to everyone including Kabiyesi when we saw what was reported on social media. The palace is unaware of this because there are traditional procedures to follow.
“I can confirm that there are no issues at all to warrant that, at least as at two days ago there was no indication at all, the car was delivered to her yesterday after she has written that thing she wrote. As I speak to you that car has been delivered to her. Everybody is still surprised and we remain surprised. Well, we are watching.”
Queen Naomi recently declared that her marriage with Ooni of Ife was over via a message on her verified Instagram account which read:
“Today I announce the beginning of a new dawn and the close of a chapter. Today, I am a mother to God’s unique gift. I am no longer a slave to my thoughts of perfection. I, at this moment, announce that I shall no longer be referred to as wife to the Ooni of Ife or as Queen of Ile-Ife but as the Queen of the people and mother of my adorable Prince.”
Since then, high-ranking chiefs and well-meaning citizens of Ile-Ife have been making efforts to reconcile the revered monarch and his queen.