Ikirun Palace Left In Ruins Three Years After Chieftaincy Crisis

The once busy palace of the Akirun of Ikirun now a shadow of its former self as it is now dilapidated and overgrown with weeds, following the protracted kingship tussle in the town.

In a video seen by OSUN DEFENDER on Thursday, residents and elders who visited the palace were overwhelmed by sorrow and lamented the devastation of what was once the symbol of unity and tradition in Ikirun.

The crisis began following the passing of the late Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul-Rauf Olayiwola Adedeji II, who joined his ancestors in February 2021 at the age of 78 after a brief illness in a hospital in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

After his demise, disputes over who should succeed him plunged the community into turmoil.

The installation of a new monarch, deemed by many residents as illegal and lacking collective approval, triggered violent clashes that ultimately led to the destruction of the palace.

Since then, the royal seat has remained vacant, and the palace abandoned its silence echoing the town’s fractured spirit.

For many in Ikirun, the absence of a king has left a deep emotional, economic and leadership void.

Elders describe the town as “headless” a community adrift, longing for peace and leadership to return to its rightful throne.

OSUN DEFENDER recalled that the Osun State Government under former governor Adegboyega Oyetola had in October 2022, 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.

The appointment of the new Akinrun of Ikirun was announced according to a statement signed by the then Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode.

On assumption of office on November 27, 2022, Governor Ademola Adeleke declared Prince Akadiri’s appointment null.

Early in 2024, the state government issued a white paper which finally set aside the appointment of Prince Yinusa Akadiri as Akirun and recommended a fresh selection process.

Yusuf Oketola

Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.

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