Obaship tussle: Royal family urges Osun govt to probe killing
The Gboleru royal family in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun, has appealed to the state government to investigate and unravel the killer of one of their princes, Lukman Gboleru, over the kingship crisis in the town.
Addressing a news conference on Saturday in Ikirun, the head of the Gboleru family, Pa Olawale Olatunji, urged the state government to ensure justice for the royal family.
The Supreme reports that Gboleru was killed on Nov. 23 after unknown armed attackers invaded the locked palace of Akirun of Ikirun in the town.
A section of the palace was also razed by some suspected arsonists during the incident.
There had been a crisis in the town since the selection, announcement, and installation of Prince Yunus Akadiri, from the Obaara royal family, as the new traditional ruler in the town.
Due to the crisis, the palace had been under lock and key since Oba Akadiri was installed as the Akinrun.
The Akinrun stool became vacant after the death of Oba Raid Adedeji on Feb. 3, 2021.
Olatunji, however, said that the only thing that could bring consolation to the royal family is for the state government to direct the police to investigate and unravel those behind the killing.
He said since the killing, the family had not heard anything from the police.
"We want the state government to secure justice for our family." The deceased is one of the Gboleru princes.
"He left his wife and children behind, and the only thing that can bring us consolation is for the government to ensure justice for the deceased and the entire family," Olatunji said.
On the issue of the Obaship tussle in the town, Olatunji commended Gov. Ademola Adeleke on the reversal of Akadiri as the Akinrun of Ikirun.
He said the installation of Akadiri by the immediate past governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, was a slap on the faces of the Gboleru family.
Supreme reports that Gov. Adeleke signed an executive order on Nov. 28 suspending the enthronement of the Aree of Iree, the Akirun of Ikirun, and the Owa of Igbajo.
The governor declared that the suspension would hold pending the review of their appointments.
Adeleke also directed security operatives to take over the palaces of the three traditional rulers immediately.
Olatunji, who described the governor's decision as a welcome development, said it would bring sanity to the processes of electing new Akinrun for the town.
"It is clear and known fact to the Indigenes as well as residents of Ikirun that Gbolerun family is the next in line to produce the next Akinrun.
"We commend the governor for the decision and we are hopeful that the overall decision will be of benefit to Gboleru family.
"What we want is for our rightful position to be return back to us because when it was the turn of Adedeji royal family, we supported them, in the time of Obaara royal family, we supported them and now that is the turn of Gboleru royal family, we expect them to support us," he said.
"For the sake of justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence, Gboleru family should be allowed to produce the next Akinrun," he said.
