Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has directed security agencies to initiate a total clampdown on any individuals attempting to illegally occupy the Akirun of Ikirun palace. The governor issued this emergency directive following credible intelligence reports suggesting a planned invasion and takeover of the historic site by certain interest groups. The move aims to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the Ikirun community, which has been embroiled in a protracted chieftaincy dispute.
In a statement released on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke warned that any individual or group found participating in the alleged plot would face the full weight of the law. The governor emphasised that the palace remains officially sealed under a previous executive order and will stay that way until the conclusion of all legal proceedings surrounding the Akirun stool. He cautioned that the state government would not tolerate any form of self-help while the matter remains sub judice.
The Akirun stool has remained a subject of intense legal and traditional friction since the passing of the late monarch, Oba AbdulRauf Olawale Adedeji II, who died in February 2021 at the age of 78. His death triggered a succession crisis among the ruling houses of Ikirun, leading to several court cases that have effectively frozen the selection process. The state government intervened early in the crisis by sealing the palace to prevent it from becoming a flashpoint for communal violence.
Governor Adeleke clarified in his statement that recent activities observed at the palace premises were not an indication of its reopening. He explained that the gates were briefly opened solely for environmental clearing and essential maintenance work intended to preserve the traditional monument from dilapidation. According to the governor, these activities were supervised and do not grant any prince or claimant the right to occupy the residence.
"I restored peace to Ikirun Community by an executive order, and it is only through my executive order that the palace can be reopened," Adeleke stated in the official release. He further remarked that "Any attempt to disturb the peace of Ikirun will not be tolerated by our government. The Akirun stool is a matter before the court, and until the matter is resolved, no resort to self-help will be tolerated."
The Governor’s directive has placed the Osun State Police Command and other paramilitary agencies on high alert. Security personnel have been instructed to maintain a 24-hour presence around the palace perimeter to thwart any unauthorised entry.
The state government continues to urge all stakeholders, particularly the contending princes from the various ruling houses, to remain calm and await the final verdict of the judiciary. The governor’s spokesperson reiterated that the administration remains neutral in the selection process but is committed to ensuring that the rule of law is respected by all parties involved.