A crisis is looming in the Akure community, in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, over the traditional stool of Iralepo of Isikan, as the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, and kingmakers in Isikan community had selected parallel head for Isikan community.

Speaking during the presentation of Chief Gbenga Adeyeye, as the new Iralepo of Isikan, on behalf of Oba Aladelusi, the Elemo of Akure Kingdom, High Chief Sunday Adedipe, said the appointment became necessary following the demise of the occupant of the stool who was a quarter Chief and head of Isikan community.

Adedipe who maintained that Iralepo of Isikan was never a traditional ruler but a quarter Chief and a member of Deji in Council, said the late occupant of the stool was “an active member of the Deji in Council until his death.

“It is pertinent to clarify that Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi had on 4th of October, 2021 approved the appointment of Mr Henry Adeyeye as High Chief Iralepo of Isikan in the Akure Kingdom.

“His appointment is based on favourable consideration by His Majesty and his unanimous decision of Aruwolasi Iralepo family of Isikan in Akure”

But the new monarch, the Iralepo elect, Oba Oluwagbenga Adimula Ojo, Arulewolasi, described the purported appointment of Adeyeye as an exercise in futility, saying never in history has Deji of Akure installed Iralepo of Isikan.

The Iralepo elect said he emerged as the new traditional ruler of the community after a due and thorough process conducted by the Isikan kingmakers and supervised by the officials of the state government, represented by the Chairman of Akure South local government, Hon. Gbenga Fasua.

He said “what happened in the palace of Deji of Akure was a joke taken too far. Never in history has Deji of Akure installed Iralepo of Isikan.

“My selection as Iralepo followed due process. Twelve kingmakers voted on Thursday in a selection exercise monitored by officials of Akure South Local government and I came first with seven votes.

“The Secretary to Akure South local government, Hon. Gbenga Fasua announced the result and all the contestants exchanged pleasantries, including Gbenga Adeyeye who came second with four votes.”

“Traditional rites have since commenced. The Uharefa of Isinkan has even invoked the Uha’lopo ceremony in accordance with tradition which confirmed me the Iralepo. No one can therefore foist just anybody in the community as their traditional ruler. It is a taboo,”

“I appeal to the people of Isinkan not to be distracted or be provoked by the joke coming from the palace of the Deji”

However, the Elemo of Akure, Adeyeye, maintained that the purported nomination of Iralepo other than the one appointed by Deji of Akure who is empowered and recognized both traditionally and legally is an exercise in futility.

“The palace wishes to urge the general public to disregard the move by some individuals who want to make it look as if there is a crisis. It is a mere joke taken too far as it has no place in the eyes of the law. It can only exist within the figment of the imagination of those behind the moves.

“There is no ambiguity in the status of Iralepo of Isikan and Osolo stool as the Court of Appeal in its judgment dated 6th March 2012 with the suit case CA/B/129 had laid it to rest.

“The Supreme Court also made a pronouncement on this matter in a unanimous judgement made on 28th June, 2019 which affirmed the position of the Appeal Court.

“We wish to state emphatically without any iota of contradictions that there is no crisis on the installation of new Iralepo of Isikan as the Deji of Akure remains the only appointing and consenting authority for the appointment of minor chiefs in all Akure land

“The appointment of new Iralepo of Isikan remains the prerogative of the Deji of Akure as no other person or institutions could exercise such either directly or through proxies”

He, however, pointed out that the reported selection of Prince Ojo was null and void as far as the kingdom was concerned.

Credit: Tribune