Olori Wuraola confirms marriage crash with Ooni of Ife

The now ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Zaynab Otiti-Obanor, has confirmed that her 17-month-old marriage to the monarch, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has indeed ended.

She made the disclosure via an official statement on her official Instagram page on Wednesday morning.

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OFFICIAL STATEMENT We have got to stop this culture of shaming and vilifying women with false stories of infidelity & nefarious behavior. The spreading of false information (through "sources" afraid to be identified) is the mark of cowards and a cover up for guilty parties to justify their horrific actions. There is absolutely no truth to the media circulated lies of infidelity and infertility- on my end. What I can confirm, is that the Ooni and I are no more. I inhale love & exhale gratitude. My journey continues as a Humanitarian aiding women and victims of domestic violence & abuse with the United Nations. No matter how much time you've invested, no matter the use of media to silence & manipulate, no matter the circumstance, slander, embarrassment, threats and lies: Get out and seek immediate help! We've seen this movie before. Women being dragged in the press & blamed for everything under the sun. This behavior is unacceptable. I urge those involved to be mindful of their actions for the eyes of our Almighty God are always watching. The seeds of slander is a cancer that harvests to eat away the souls of the planter. The throne is sacred and the attempts to tarnish the name of a Queen, in defense or on behalf of a silent King makes all involved look terrible. Remain dignified in all you do. It's not the end of the world, but the start of a new chapter and you must turn the page with grace. The world is watching. As I bid adieu to this chapter, my wish to you all is to step into your lives – boldly & fearlessly, the way God intended and live not just by words, but through example. The best chapter in our lives is the one we are writing now. Thank you for your love and support. With peace, love &  light, -Her Highness, Zaynab Otiti Obanor.

A post shared by Queen Zaynab (@hhzaynab) on Aug 30, 2017 at 1:09am PDT

Her post partly read, “What I can confirm, is that the Ooni and I are no more. I inhale love and exhale gratitude. My journey continues as a humanitarian aiding women and victims of domestic violence & abuse with the United Nations. No matter how much time you’ve invested, no matter the use of media to silence & manipulate, no matter the circumstance, slander, embarrassment, threats and lies: Get out and seek immediate help!”

Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, who had also earlier dropped hints of the separation confirmed that the royal union had indeed crashed in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

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Your Majesty, BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS… Thanks for the honour of pouring out your immediate and future plans to me. Thanks for vowing not to direspect the revered throne of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race. When marriages break up, it comes with painful stress and traumatic strain. The pressure can be lessened by staying positive. It shall be well with you…

A post shared by CHIEF DR DELE MOMODU (@delemomoduovation) on Aug 29, 2017 at 11:30pm PDT

He wrote: “Our Majesty, 
blessed are the peace makers. Thanks for the honour of pouring out your immediate and future plans to me. Thanks for vowing not to disrespect the revered throne of Oduduwa; the progenitor of the Yoruba race. When marriages break up, it comes with painful stress and traumatic strain.The pressure can be lessened by staying positive.
It shall be well with you.”

Mr. Momodu’s post generated mixed reactions from Nigerians with many saying it was uncalled for.

However, despite the public empathy, Olori Wuraola appears to have moved on.

In the last two weeks, there have been growing concerns on the state of the royal union following reports that the couple had been living apart in the last 8 months.

The Ooni got married to his now estranged Edo bride at an elaborate traditional marriage held in Benin, the Edo State capital on March 16, 2016.

The wedding rites were performed in the traditional Benin culture at the residence of the bride on Ewere Street, Etete, in Oredo Local Government Area of the state.

Although the monarch was not physically present, he was represented by his father, Oluropo Ogunwusi.