The Adeyemi ruling house, a prominent branch of the Anikilaya dynasty, has raised objections over its exclusion from the list of eligible royal families for the Awujale stool in Ijebuland, Ogun State.
The Anikilaya ruling house had previously produced the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who passed away last month.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Adedeji Ademola Adeyemi, the Adeyemi family accused certain individuals within the Anikilaya ruling house of deliberately altering historical records to erase the Adeyemis from the royal lineage.
Adedeji Adeyemi stated that Adeyemi Anikilaya, the eldest crown prince of the late Oba Anikilaya Saagun, was the rightful patriarch of their family line. He noted that the other sons of Oba Anikilaya were Ogbagba and Ademolu.
According to Adeyemi, “Prince Ademola Aiyegbajeje Adeyemi was selected for the Awujale throne following the death of Oba Daniel Adesanya, Gbelegbuwa II, in 1959, but he declined the offer.
His brother, Prince Mubashiru Adedipupo Adeyemi father of the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetonabthen contested and supported his son, who was eventually crowned Awujale in 1960.”
The Adeyemi ruling house rejected what they described as a false narrative, which places the headship of the royal family in the hands of the second-born son, while including individuals not related by blood in the lineage.
They specifically opposed the inclusion of Mabadeje, Adekoya Ofirigidi, and Adeire Adeewu alleged children of Oba Anikilaya Saagun Figbajoye, who reigned in 1821 claiming there is no verifiable link between them and the royal bloodline.
“The Adeyemi ruling house remains firmly rooted in the lineage of Adeyemi Anikilaya, the eldest son of Oba Anikilaya Saagun Figbajoye, who reigned until 1821,” the statement read.
The family urged the public to disregard the claims being circulated by what it described as a small group of misinformed individuals attempting to rewrite history for personal gain.
Advertisement
