New Akire: Gov Adeleke Seeks Continuity, Presents Staff of Office to New King.

● Oyetola Former Deputy, Benedict Alabi Commends Governor Adeleke

● Senator Oyewumi: Ikire won’t Forget Adeleke’s Good Deeds

OSOGBO – 28/03/2026 – osunstate.gov.ng

The people of Ikire today trooped out en masse to host Governor Ademola Adeleke as he presented staff of office to the new Akire of Ikireland, his Royal Majesty, Oba Olanrewaju Tajudeen Akinola, Akintula 1.

Former Deputy Governor of the state, Benedict Alabi hailed the state governor for implementing continuity on the chieftaincy succession for Ikireland, expressing happiness that the current administration retained and implemented the settlement agreement concluded under his former boss, Gboyega Oyetola.

The main host, Senator Lere Oyewumi who was full of prayers for the town and the governor said the Ikire people won’t forget this positive action by the state government, noting that the governor has deepened and sustained peace in the land.

From the main express road to the palace, residents jubilated as the governor who spent his early school days in the town acknowledged cheers and shout of “Imole” in a slow procession to the venue of the coronation.

Accompanied by Deputy Senate Minority leader, Senator Akogun Lere Oyewumi, an entrenched populist leader of Ikire, and with his Eminence, Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup and other top royal fathers in attendance, Governor Adeleke affirmed his administration’s commitment to due process, rule of law and chieftaincy tradition of each towns, adding “I have done the right thing for Ikire people.

“In filling the vacant stool of Akire of Ikire, the Terms of Settlement made at the Appeal Court, Akure in the year 2025 was used. It is pertinent to mention that the stool of Akire of Ikire generated crisis in the year 2021 over the Supreme Court Judgment of 2014 which affirmed that Lambeloye Ruling House that produced late Oba Olatunde Falabi had no legal right to Occupy the stool of Akire of Ikire as at the time it did when a vacancy occurred in 1987.

“The aftermath of the crisis made the last Administration in Osun State in collaboration with all the Five (5) Ruling Houses of Ikire to resolve and jointly agree on the amendment of 1958 Akire Chieftaincy Declaration which paved way for Aketula Ruling House to be the next Ruling House whenever a vacancy
occurred.

“In order to uphold and affirm the efforts of government in resolving the crisis, the Terms of Settlement made was affirmed by the Court of Appeal, Akure in 2025 which clearly stated that Prince Olanrewaju Tajudeen of Aketula Ruling House shall be installed as the next Akire of Ikire whenever the stool became vacant provided that he is alive”, the governor noted.

The governor spoke further: “Kabiyesi, you are a son of destiny. I particularly rejoice with you and felicitate with your fellow Royal Fathers who are also here to celebrate this occasion with you.

“Now that you are on the throne of your fore-fathers, the period of administering the community has begun. See yourself as the father of all citizens of Ikire at home and in the diaspora. Do all you can to unite everyone behind you and daily seek the growth and development of Ikire. Irewole Local Government, Osun State and Nigeria as a whole. Cooperate with my Administration and mobilize your people to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the
State.

“My administration has brought a lot of development to Ikire and I urge you all to troop out massively on August 15th 2026. Kabiyesi, I am a son of Ikire by adoption. My early days while growing up were spent in this great town. So I enjoin Ikire people to vote for my party, the Accord, the first on the ballot, to ensure the continuity of the good governance we are all enjoying”, the governor noted.

Calling himself an adopted son of the land, the governor recalled his affinity with Ikire, seeking for continuous support of the people for his government and continuity beyond 2026.

The new Akire in his response appreciated the sincerity and passionate commitment of the governor to the peace and development of Ikireland, assuring the governor and the people that he would not waiver in supporting peace and progress of the town and the state.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor.