Six prominent kingmakers in Ikirun have thrown their weight behind Governor Ademola Adeleke’s swift directive to the Osun State Commissioner of Police to forestall any attempt to cause unrest in the town over the contentious Akinrun stool.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the kingmakers Chief Diekola Toogun (Odofin), Chief Oluwole Atoyebi (Ojomu), Chief Bamidele Onifade (Elemon), Chief Raheem Okunlola (Jagun), Chief Sulaiman Olaore (Oluawo Onifa), and Chief Azeez Muritala (Obaale) commended the governor’s proactive leadership in maintaining peace and order.
The kingmakers accused the Eesa of Ikirunland, Chief Abdulkareem Adetoyese, of allegedly engaging in nocturnal activities aimed at misleading the people by claiming the right to unilaterally appoint a monarch, a position they described as contrary to the state government’s gazetted White Paper on the Akinrun stool.
“It is on record that Chief Abdulkareem Adetoyese, Eesa of Ikirunland, has been engaging in nocturnal moves to violently disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in the town by misleading the people of Ikirun into believing they have the power to appoint a monarch a claim contrary to the tenor of the government’s gazetted position,” the statement read.
The kingmakers reaffirmed their full support for the Osun State Government’s position as contained in the White Paper released on January 25, 2024, which declared the stool of the Akinrun of Ikirun vacant pending the determination of a related suit at the Court of Appeal. They praised all parties promoting peace while isolating “unscrupulous elements” allegedly bent on causing chaos.
They further lauded the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for their prompt intervention, which prevented the town from descending into avoidable violence.
Governor Adeleke had earlier directed the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to protect the kingmakers and ensure that peace is maintained in Ikirun, emphasising that no individual or group would be allowed to jeopardise public order.
When contacted, the Eesa of Ikirun, Chief Abdulkareem Adetoyese, dismissed the allegations, describing them as unfounded and insisting that he remains committed to peace as the head of the kingmakers.
This development underscores Governor Adeleke’s commitment to the rule of law, due process in traditional institutions, and the protection of public peace across Osun State.