One of Africa’s leading female drummers and singers, Aralola Olumuyiwa popularly known as Ara, has spoken on allegation that she was in a relationship with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Recall that in 2016, Ara, who is well known for her skills as the first accomplished female talking drummer, was appointed as a Cultural Ambassador of the Ife kingdom by the Ooni of Ife.
Since 2018, Naysayers made Ara a butt of criticisms over her seemingly closeness to the Ooni, before the breakup of his marriage to Zaynab Otiti-Obanor, otherwise known as Olori Wuraola
In a new interview on Asabe TV, The popular talking drum artiste addressed the rumors while making some revelations regarding her private conversation with Queen Wuraola and events that preceded her resignation as the cultural ambassador of the revered Yoruba monarch.
Addressing the topic, Aralola said,
“I am addressing this story because of my child and those who have heard it. I worked as the cultural ambassador of the Ooni of Ife.
However, I officially resigned my position before Wuraola left Ife, Osun State, as the pressure was excessive. I had initially urged the Ooni of Ife to grant me permission to discuss this with Queen Wuraola after hearing rumors that she wanted to leave the palace.”
She continued;
“The queen was misinformed regarding many things in that palace, and she shared all that she had heard with me. People had sent her messages claiming that I had an affair with the Ooni of Ife and making other claims.
However, I discouraged her from listening to such claims. I also assured her that I had never had any intimate affairs with her husband. I even explained to her how she would apologize to the monarch.
She gave gifts to my child and me afterwards. I think things settled after our long talk, but people may have returned to her with more rumors. I decided to leave at that point, and I returned to Lagos State.”
