By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has approved the appointment of Prince Tajudeen Olanrewaju as the new Akire of Ikire, following the death of Oba Olatunde Falabi, Lambeloye III.
Oba Falabi died on February 27, 2026, after spending 39 years on the throne. His reign followed a prolonged succession dispute that trailed the demise of his predecessor, Oba Oseni Boladale Oyegunle.
The state government announced the appointment in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, after a State Executive Council meeting held in Osogbo and presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Alimi said the decision followed the consideration of a detailed memorandum submitted by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, adding that the approval was in line with existing laws and prior agreements among the five ruling houses in Ikire.
He said, “The State Executive Council considered and approved the recommendation for the appointment of Prince Tajudeen Olanrewaju as the new Akire of Ikire in line with extant laws and agreements reached by the ruling houses.”
The commissioner recalled that the Akire stool had been enmeshed in crisis since 2021 after the enforcement of a 2014 Supreme Court judgment, which ruled that the Lambeloye Ruling House that produced Oba Falabi was not entitled to occupy the throne when the vacancy arose in 1987.
“The enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment triggered disputes over the rightful ruling house to produce the Akire, necessitating intervention by the state government,” Alimi said.
He added that consultations involving the government and the five ruling houses led to an amendment of the 1958 Akire Chieftaincy Declaration.
“The amendment paved the way for the Aketula Ruling House to produce the next Akire of Ikire whenever the stool becomes vacant,” he said.
Prince Olanrewaju’s emergence is therefore seen as a resolution of the long-standing succession dispute, with expectations that his reign will usher in stability in Ikire.
The government urged residents and stakeholders to support the new monarch to sustain peace and promote development in the community.