The race to Akirun stool and emergence of the candidate to ascend the throne is gaining momentum as one of the ruling houses is threatening to stand against any foul play in the process.
The stool became vacant few months ago after Oba Rauf Olayiwola Adedeji, the Akinrun of Ikirun, joined his ancestors.
At a press conference addressed on Friday in Osogbo, Osun State by the Head of Gboleru ruling House, Pa Gboyega Olatunji, the ruling house insists that fielding of an unqualified candidate as the next Akinrun of Ikirun would be opposed and rejected by stakeholders.
According to Pa Olatunji, the Gboleru Ruling House is next in line to produce the next king based on the Ikirun District Chieftaincy Declaration and Gazette of 1959, approved in 1960.
“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, especially the Gazette of 1980 signed by late Chief Bola Ige, the former Governor of old Oyo State, during the reign of late Oba Lawani Adeyemi recognises three ruling houses in Ikirun land which are Obaara, Adedeji and Gboleru.
“We, the Gboleru Ruling House wish to state unequivocally that Ikirun has always been known as a peaceful ancient town that has transited from one king to the other in the last 100 years without any crisis.
“Over the years, the peaceful coexistence among our people has greatly contributed to the more peaceful environment that now prevails.
“To maintain this good attribute, we met and agreed unanimously to present our candidate, Prince Tajudeen Adesegun Gboleru as the next Akinrun of Ikirun land,” he noted.
“For reference sake, late Oba Lawani Adeyemi Oyejola, from the Obaara ruling family ruled between 1945 and 1989 after which late Oba Olayiwola Adedeji II, ruled between 1991 and 2021.
“It is, therefore, crystal clear that Gboleru Ruling family is the next in line to produce the next Akinrun of Ikirun” Pa Olatunji stated.
He said the Gboleru Ruling House has picked Prince Tajudeen Adesegun Gboleru as the next Akinrun of Ikirun to succeed late Oba Rauf Olayiwola Olayiwola Adedeji.
He said: “The Gboleru Ruling House, which unarguably is next in line to produce the next king, is blessed with many competent professionals of pedigree who are well exposed both locally and internationally to bring the needed development to the town and we have unanimously picked and nominate one of us, Prince Tajudeen Adesegun Gboleru, as next Akirun of Ikirun.”
The Ruling House implored Osun State Government to direct the kingmakers to ensure free and fair process to enplace peaceful ascension of the new monarch for Ikirun.
They also called on all stakeholders, including the kingmakers, Ikirun elders, to call out those who are instigating unholy process of installing a new king to consider the overall benefits of installing a competent person over their own personal interest.
They however appealed to other two ruling houses to support a peaceful selection by cooperating with the Gboleru Ruling House.
