The Osun State Government has approved the appointment of Prince Tajudeen Olanrewaju as the new Akire of Ikire, following the death of the late Akire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, Lambeloye III, who passed on February 27, 2026.

The decision was reached at the State Executive Council meeting held in Osogbo on Thursday and presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke, after consideration of a memorandum presented by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

According to a statement issued by Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the approval followed existing legal provisions and the terms of settlement earlier agreed upon by the five ruling houses in Ikire.

The government recalled that the Akire stool had been a subject of controversy since 2021, arising from a 2014 judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria which held that the Lambeloye Ruling House, which produced the late monarch, had no legal right to occupy the throne when vacancy occurred in 1987.

The statement explained that the crisis was later resolved through an agreement brokered by the state government in collaboration with the five ruling houses, leading to an amendment of the 1958 Akire Chieftaincy Declaration, which paved the way for Aketula Ruling House to produce the next Akire whenever vacancy occurred.

Also approved by the council were the appointments of Prince Tijani Feyi Ademola as Aladodo of Adodo in Atakumosa East Local Government and Prince (Dr) Jacob Adetayo Haastrup as Olumobi of Imobi-Ijesa, also in Atakumosa East Local Government.

In addition, the council approved the elevation of new traditional stools across the Ife, Osogbo and Ijesa traditional councils.

The government said the approvals formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen traditional institutions and ensure peaceful succession across communities in the state.