Tension is brewing in Iree Community, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, as two claimants to a traditional stool have emerged, with kingmakers divided over the legitimacy of the obaship rites.
In 2022, during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Oba Ademola Ponle was appointed as the Aare of Iree after being nominated by kingmakers and some warrant chiefs. However, the process was challenged in court by other chiefs who were not part of the nomination.
After assuming office, Governor Ademola Adeleke suspended Oba Ponle and set up a committee to review his appointment. In January 2024, Adeleke issued a White Paper nullifying Oba Ponle’s appointment and ordering a fresh selection process.
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On Wednesday, Adeleke appointed Prince Muritala Oyelakin from the Oyekun ruling house as the new Oba-elect for Iree, instructing kingmakers to commence rites for his installation.
Protests erupted on Thursday as some residents opposed the government’s decision. On Friday, gunshots were reported in the community, causing tension and prompting some business owners to shut their shops.
Meanwhile, the doors of the seclusion house, where the obaship rites are traditionally conducted, were forced open for Oba-elect Oyelakin’s rites, despite being previously locked since Oba Ponle’s emergence. However, the head of kingmakers, Chief Taiwo Oguntobi (Asalu of Iree), and other traditional chiefs boycotted the process, citing their recognition of Oba Ponle as the legitimate king.
Speaking on the development, Chief Oguntobi explained that, “I am the head of the traditionalists in Iree town, I am not part of the process for the selection of the new king appointed by the government. The traditional rites for any king should commence from the deity that I am in charge of but nothing of such. They used cutlasses to break into the house of Odofin(seclusion) today. The family of Odofin were opposed to that.
“We, the representatives of the community who ought to be there are not present for any rite for the newly appointed king. If they want to make anybody king in Iree, Asanlu, Odofin and Olu-Ode must be present. The Oogboni, Olosun group must be represented, including the six Iwarafa. But with this new king, nothing of such, none of these people were present.
“The authentic king for Iree town is Oba Ademola Ponle, we all supported him. We have performed all rites for him any other person aside from him is fake. The rite that authenticates kingship on anybody has been given to Oba Ponle, and another one can’t be reproduced unless he dies.”
However, the Oba-elect, Oyelakin, has claimed that the rites were witnessed by community members and traditional chiefs, including the Odofin (seclusion chief), and that the residents were happy about his appointment.
“The rites were witnessed by sons and daughters of the Iree community. The president of the Iree Progressive Union was also present. The rite was led by the Odofin of the town. I visited the Odofin house, but I did not enter, I just step my feet at the entrance three times. There was no crisis in town at all, the residents were happy about my appointment. The gunshots are just part of our tradition. I have plans to bring investors into the town,” he said.
On the other hand, Oba Ponle maintained his position as the authentic king, stating, “I am the authentic king of Iree, I have all the instruments of office with me, all what you are seeing is just jamboree. There is still a pending case in court and any action on the matter amounts to contempt.”