Six kingmakers in Ikirun, Osun State, have declared support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s directive to the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to contain alleged plans to cause mayhem in the town.
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), made the disclosure in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Thursday.
In the statement jointly signed by the chiefs, the kingmakers accused the Eesa of Ikirunland, Chief Abdulkareem Adetoyese, of actions that could undermine peace in the community.
They said Adetoyese was misleading the people of Ikirun by claiming he had the right to appoint a king for the town, contrary to the official position of the state government.
“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.
“This is evident in the prompt action of the Osun State Government, released this morning, 14th May 2026, cautioning people to shun violence and maintain peace, which is highly commendable,” it added.
Declaring support for the government’s position as outlined in the White Paper released in January 2024 concerning the Akinrun stool, the Chiefs stated that they “Abide by the position of the government as contained in the White Paper released on 25th January 2024 concerning the Akinrun monarch. We appreciate the peace being promoted by all the affected persons, except some unscrupulous elements.”
They also commended the police and other law enforcement agencies for swiftly intervening to prevent the ancient town from being plunged into avoidable violence.
But when contacted, the Eesa of Ikirun, dismissed the allegations against him, saying those that accused him, were afraid over their past deeds.
“I never made any nocturnal move to truncate the peace of Ikirunland. I am the head of the kingmakers and my duty is to ensure peace at every point in time.
“They had earlier made allegations against me at the police station but all I know is that what they are saying is not true. These people are only jittery about the present situation. I am not fighting anybody,” Adetoyese said.
The PUNCH reports that the state government in January 2024, declared the stool of Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Olalekan Akadiri vacant, calling on all parties to wait to determine a suit on the stool currently pending before the Court of Appeal.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said government decisions on the stool were contained in a White Paper on various committees that investigated issues raised by the executive orders issued by the governor, Ademola Adeleke, at the inception of the administration in November 2022.
Adeleke had reversed the appointments of all royal fathers appointed by his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, at the twilight of his tenure.
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