Communal crisis is looming in Akure, the Ondo State capital, as the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, moves to implement an Appeal Court judgment, which declared the Iralepo of Isikan to be a Quarter Chief in Akure.

The Iralepo was upgraded to a Class C monarch under the administration of the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

After the death of Iralepo of Isikan, High Chief Olu Ojo, the Akure monarch appointed Chief Henry Gbenga as the next Iralepo in line, based on his power(s) to appoint minor chiefs in Akure kingdom, but Prince Olugbenga Ojo, who was picked by the Omowa Isikan (kingmakers).was installed as Oba.

In 2022, the state government issued a White Paper, which recognised Iralepo stool as a Class C Oba.

But the Court of Appeal declared that it was unlawful to admit the Chieftaincy title of Iralepo into Part 1 of the Chiefs Laws of Ondo State as a recognised Chief with the consent of the Deji of Akure.

It also granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Ondo State Government from appointing or installing anyone as the Iralepo of Isikan Quarters.

Less than 48 hours after the court’s ruling, the Deji of Akure ordered immediate suspension of Ojo as the Iralepo of Isikan and cautioned him to desist from parading himself under any guise.

Oba Aladetoyinbo announced appointment of Adeyeye as the new Iralepo of Isikan Quarters, Akure.

A statement by spokesman for the Akure monarch, Michael Adeyeye, said Ojo was requested to vacate the traditional palace of the Iralepo of Isikan with immediate effect and hand over all palace property within his possession to the appropriate quarters for proper documentation.

According to the statement, “in view of the installation and appointment of High Chief Gbenga Henry Adeyeye as the new Iralepo of Isikan quarters, he is now entitled to wear all paraphernalia of office attached to the stool of the Iralepo of Isikan, while Mr. Gbenga Ojo is advised to desist from parading himself in whatever manner.

“We wish to inform Mr. Ojo that any violation of the afore-stated shall be met with stiffer penalties, including committal proceedings.”

Oba Aladetoyinbo subsequently presented certificate to the new Iralepo,  witnessed by the Omowa of Isikan.

But the Olisa of Isikan, Chief Kayode Oluyi, said the ancient throne of Iralepo was not any child’s play susceptible to the theatre of absurdity.

He said the Iralepo of Isinkan had only been appointed by the people of Isinkan and never by the Deji of Akure nor subject to his approval.

“We implore our people to peacefully go about their businesses and not do or be involved in anything that will portray the great peace loving people of Isinkan as discourteous rabble rousing bumpkins.

“While we take due cognisance of the judgment of the Court of Appeal and exercising our further rights in that respect under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we wish to assure all that the throne of the Iralepo of Isinkan is not vacant, as Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola Olofin-Adimula (Arulewolasi III), the Olusi Obarisa, remains and sits on the throne and in the palace of the Iralepo of Isinkan.”

The Olu of Aladodo, Ayodeji Fatoki, said no Deji had ever installed or removed any Iralepo of Isinkan.

He said the “Deji wants to cause crisis in the state capital.”