The agitation over the enthronement of Prince Yinusa Akadiri as the new Akinrun of Ikirun took a new dimension when some youths thronged the streets of the town with the distribution of leaflets warning the state government against the imposition of the Akadiri.
The Osun State government had last week announced the appointment of Prince Yinusa Olalekan Akadiri of Oba-Ara Ruling House as the new Akinrun of Ikirun, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State
Some residents however, were said to have disapproved the emergence of Akadiri as their new traditional leader.
Akadirin’s appointment by the state’s government had earlier followed by the joint consent of a majority of kingmakers on November 19, 2021, after the demise of Oba Abdulrauf Adedeji in February.
However, after his announcement on Wednesday, some youths in the town thronged the road, protesting against his appointment. This development led the state government to deploy security operatives to the town.
Reports, however, made available to newsmen, claimed that attempts by the new monarch to access the palace were frustrated by aggrieved residents, who placed charms on the entrance gate.
However, residents of the town woke up on Wednesday to see the numerous leaflets distributed by the aggrieved youths.
Some of the area where the leaflets were distributed are Oja Oba area, Almaisi market, Oke Afo, Iso-isu along Iree Road, Eko Ende Junction among others.
Investigation by our Correspondent, who visited the town, revealed that a sociocultural group, Ikirun Development Vanguard was behind the distribution of the leaflets.
The information on the leaflets included ; “People of Ikirun totally rejected the Imposition of Pangila as the Akirun of Ikirun”, “We will resist any form of intimidation from security agencies and the state government”,
“People of Ikirun refuse to accept Pangila as Akirun of Ikirun”, “No amount of intimidation can stop us from resisting the imposition of Akadiri AKA Pangila”, “Enough of Enough”, “We stand for justice”, “Gboleru Lokan(It’s turn of Gboleru ruling house)” among others.
Reacting to the step being taken by the group, a harb seller, who spoke under the condition of anonymity said the state government should, for the interest of peace, allow Gboleru ruling house to present the new monarch.
He noted that since the announcement of the new monarch, the residents around the palace have been living in fear saying the government should do the needful before things get out of hand.
“Look at the palace, nobody dare enter the palace. The palace gate has been locked from behind to avoid easy access for anyone.”
When our Correspondent visited Oja Oba, charms were placed at the entrance of the palace.
Asked whether such a charm could have been the reasons for the new monarch to have stayed off the palace since his enthronement, a resident of the area , Alhaja Silifa Omowumi said nobody can enter that palace until when the charms are removed.
Alhaja Omowumi said she learnt some youths wanted to confirm the efficacy of the charm by throwing a live goat at the charms but to her own supprise, the goat’s blood dried immediately.
“The only thing they need to do is to settle this matter. The government should allow the will of the people of Ikirun to come to stay . People don’t want Prince Akadiri as their king, then government should shift ground and allow peace to reign.
“Nobody can enter the palace. I was told that some youth wanted to test the efficacy of the charms place at the entrance of the palace they threw a live goat and its blood dried immediately.
Meanwhile, The Ikirun Development Vanguard warned the State government against the imposition of Prince Akadri as the new Akinrun of Ikirun land by the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
According to the Secretary General, Ikirun Development Vanguard, Wasiu Qodiri on behalf of over 5000 members of the association, home and abroad, in a press statement issued and made available to journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, he said the people of Ikirun reject this unfair and ungodly pronouncement.
“We would like to use this medium to express our displeasure over the recent Oyetola’s government’s proclamation of one Prince Akadri, also known as Pangila, as the Akinru-elect. The people of Ikirun reject this unfair and ungodly pronouncement.
“Responsible Youth of Ikirun will continue to resist the imposition of Pangila, a man with bad records, on the town until the government of Mr Adegboyega Oyetola does the needful; we all know the next royal family that should occupy the Akinrun vacant stool.
“We, the peaceful people of Ikirun, respect the rule of law and believe in fairness and justice. We’re not in a hurry to install the new Akinrun. Hence, we implore Governor Oyetola to halt the installation of Prince Akadri as we wait for the final court’s rulings.
The group however called on the people of the ancient Ikirun community to continue to be law abiding and sustain their peaceful protest, until they get justice for the royal family of Gboleru, the statement concluded.
Recall that the seat of Akinrun became vacant on February 8, 2021, following the demise of Oba Rauf Olawale Adedeji who mounted the royal stool in 1991.
