Ikirun leadership tussle
There has been tension in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State ever since the state government’s forceful installation of Oba Olalekan Akadiri from the Adeyemi family or Obaara Ruling House as the new Akinrun of Ikirun.
The announcement of Oba Akadiri as the new monarch sparked a crisis in the town which according to information led to the death of one person while several other residents sustained various degrees of injuries.
The Akinrun stool became vacant when the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba AbdulRauf Adewale Adedeji II passed on in February, 2021.
Our findings revealed that there are 3 ruling houses in Ikirun namely; Gboleru Ruling House, Adedeji Ruling House and Obaara Ruling House.
According to the Ikirun District Chieftaincy Declaration and Gazette of 1959, approved in 1960, re-registered in 1970, which were done during the reign of Late Oba Lawani Adeyemi, and its subsequent versions, it is crystal clear that Gboleru Ruling House out of the three Ikirun Ruling Houses, is to produce the next Akinrun of Ikirun.
Unfortunately, the Osun State Government under the leadership of outgoing Governor Gboyega Oyetola forcefully imposed Olalekan Akadiri from the Adeyemi family or Obaara Ruling House as the new Akirun of Ikirun.
This angered the people of Ikirun who strongly believe it is not yet the turn of Adeyemi family or Obaara Ruling House as a whole to produce the next King.
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For this reason, the pro-Gboleru peoples of Ikirun who are strict adherence of provision of the law of the land had viewed the forceful installation of Olalekan Akadiri by the government as an insult, and an attempt to play on the intelligence of good people of Ikirun.
Why the new Akirun, Oba Yinus Olalekan AKadiri was rejected by Ikirun people
Before the crisis became full blown, the people of Ikirun, especially the youths had rejected the forceful installation of Oba Yinus Olalekan Akadiri. Giving reason for rejecting the monarch, they said Ikirun is too blessed to be led by someone who is not only uneducated but also a man of questionable character.
Concerned Ikirun Youths, had in a statement signed by Olawale Oluwafemi in the community expressed displeasure over the controversy surrounding the the selection of the monarch.
“Ikirun has a strong historical background with its central location and notable indigenes that have excelled in various spheres of life such as the armed forces, academia, health, business, among other legitimate sector.”
We strongly hold that a town like ours blessed with several professors and well-read individuals should not be led by someone who is uneducated. We believe that we do not deserve someone whose level of formal education and attainment of a secondary school certificate at Coker Memorial College is questionable,”he said.
Resistance and Shutting Down of Akirun’s Palace
On Saturday October 29, residents of Ikirun staged a violent protest to register their disapproval over the emergence of Akadiri as the new traditional ruler of the town. They, however, prevented the newly appointed monarch from accessing the palace.
This development prompted the state government to deploy security operatives in the town. On Sunday October 30, we gathered that several attempts by the new monarch to access the palace were frustrated by aggrieved residents, who placed charms on the entrance gate of the palace as seen in the photo above.
We however asked whether such charms could have been the reason for the new monarch staying off the palace since his enthronement, a resident of the area, Alhaja Silifa Omowumi said nobody can enter that palace until when the charms are removed.
“The only thing they need to do is to settle this matter. The government should allow the will of the people of Ikirun to come to stay. People don’t want Prince Akadiri as their king, so the government should shift ground and allow peace to reign,” she said. A resident, Sofiu Oladimeji, told our Correspondent that the gate was locked from behind to avoid easy access for anyone but added that he could not ascertain on whose instruction the gate was locked.
Hoodlums Set Akirun’s Palace Ablaze
On Wednesday, the 23rd day in November 2022, an unidentified person was reportedly shot dead in Ikirun, Osun State, as the new Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Yinusa Akadiri, and a group of persons allegedly tried to force their way into the palace (that had been locked and sealed off with traditional charms).
It was gathered that in the process of being resisted by some residents of the community, an imbroglio ensued and the victim was reportedly shot dead and part of the palace set ablaze.
Acording to Vanguard, an eye witness, who pleaded anonymity said that some youths had gathered at the Oja-Oba area where the palace was located yesterday morning waiting for the Monarch’s arrival.
“As soon as the policemen arrived the palace main entrance with some herbalists, they neutralised the charm therein and forced the gate opened, but could not open the gate to the main palace building before some youths started pelting them with satchet water.
“The police fired tear gar to disperse the mob but it was not successful, hence, there was an exchange of gunshots between the security operatives and the youths around the palace,” the source added.
