The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned a prominent traditional chief in Ikirun, High Chief Kareem Adetoyese, the Eesa of Ikirunland, to desist from making statements capable of reigniting tensions over the Akinrun stool dispute.
The party issued the warning on Saturday following remarks attributed to Adetoyese during a condolence visit by Governor Ademola Adeleke to Ikirun, where the chief praised the governor’s handling of the long-standing obaship crisis and criticised the immediate past administration.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC described the chief’s comments as “inflammatory, reckless and untruthful,” warning that such remarks could plunge the town into renewed unrest over what it described as a “settled” kingship matter.
According to the party, the Akinrun stool dispute had been conclusively resolved with the selection and installation of Oba Yunus Olalekan Akadiri, who emerged through what it said was a lawful and transparent process involving the town’s kingmakers.
The APC faulted Adetoyese’s claim that the previous administration plunged Ikirun into violence through the politicisation of the kingship process, insisting that Oba Akadiri was selected by six out of seven kingmakers and subsequently presented with a certificate of installation and staff of office by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
The party further accused the Eesa of attempting to rewrite history to curry favour with the current administration, alleging that his comments overlooked court rulings and established chieftaincy procedures governing the selection of the Akinrun.
“The assertion that Executive Order 5 restored peace to Ikirun is a gross misrepresentation of facts,” the APC said, adding that the choice of Oba Akadiri followed a High Court judgement which directed that the next ruling house produce candidates for the stool after the failure of another ruling house to do so within the time allowed by law.
The APC also warned security agencies to take note of the chief’s remarks, saying he should be held accountable if the comments lead to a breakdown of law and order in the town.
Beyond the obaship dispute, the party rejected claims that Ikirun was neglected under the previous administration, citing infrastructure projects and fiscal management it said were undertaken during Oyetola’s tenure.
Governor Adeleke had visited Ikirun on Saturday to condole with families of prominent indigenes, including the late head of Ikirun princes, Dr Ismahil Adeyemi; the Asiwaju of Ikirunland, DIG Lawal Kasali (retd.); and the Chief Imam of Ikirunland, Sheikh Yunus Balogun.
The Akinrun stool crisis has remained a sensitive issue in Ikirunland, with past disputes resulting in violence and destruction of property, prompting repeated calls for restraint from political and traditional leaders.
