Osun approves new Akire of Ikire, names two other monarchs

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Osun State Government has approved the appointment of Prince Tajudeen Olanrewaju as the new Akire of Ikire, following the demise of Oba Olatunde Falabi, Lambeloye III, on February 27, 2026.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government said the decision was taken at a State Executive Council meeting held in Osogbo and presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

According to the statement, the council considered a memo presented by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs before approving the appointment in line with existing laws and agreements reached by the five ruling houses.

The Akire stool had been a subject of dispute since 2021, stemming from a 2014 Supreme Court judgment which ruled that the Lambeloye ruling house that produced the late Oba Falabi was not entitled to occupy the stool when a vacancy arose in 1987.

Following the crisis, the state government, in collaboration with the five ruling houses in Ikire, reviewed the 1958 Akire Chieftaincy Declaration, and the amendment paved the way for the Aketula ruling house to produce the next monarch upon vacancy.

In a related development, the council also approved the appointment of Prince Tijani Feyi Ademola as the Aladodo of Adodo in Atakumosa East Local Government Area, while Prince (Dr) Jacob Adetayo Haastrup was named the Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesa, also in Atakumosa East Local Government Area.

The council further approved the elevation of new traditional rulers from Ile-Ife, Osogbo and Ijesha traditional councils.