The Osun State Government has taken a significant step in resolving a long-standing dispute over the Akire stool in Ikire land. The appointment of Tajudeen Olanrewaju as the new Akire of Ikire land follows the demise of Oba Olatunde Falabi on February 27, 2026. This decision was reached during a State Executive Council meeting in Osogbo, presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The appointment was made after a thorough deliberation by the council on a memo submitted by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The decision was based on extant laws and the terms of settlement agreed upon by the five ruling houses of Ikire. The Akire stool had been a subject of dispute since 2021, stemming from a Supreme Court judgment delivered in 2014. The judgment had affirmed that the Lambeloye Ruling House had no legal right to occupy the stool when a vacancy arose in 1987.
The state government, in collaboration with the five ruling houses, resolved to amend the 1958 Akire Chieftaincy Declaration. This amendment paved the way for the Aketula Ruling House to produce the next Akire whenever a vacancy occurs. The council also approved the appointment of new monarchs in other local government areas, including Tijani Feyi Ademola as the Aladodo of Adodo and Jacob Adetayo Haastrup as the Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesa.
The appointment of Tajudeen Olanrewaju as the new Akire of Ikire land is a significant step towards resolving a long-standing dispute in the state. However, it raises questions about the effectiveness of the state government's efforts to resolve similar disputes in the past. The fact that the Akire stool had been a subject of dispute since 2021 suggests that there are deeper issues that need to be addressed. The state government's decision to amend the 1958 Akire Chieftaincy Declaration is a welcome development, but it remains to be seen whether this will bring lasting peace to the affected communities. The elevation of new Obas from various traditional councils in the state is also a significant development, but it is essential that the state government ensures that these appointments are made based on merit and not political considerations.
