The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, has lamented the growing number of litigations challenging his authority, calling for unity among Akure-speaking communities to foster development and political progress.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at his palace to mark his 10th coronation anniversary, the monarch revealed that there are currently over 100 court cases filed against him, mostly disputing the Deji’s traditional authority across Akure-speaking areas in Ondo State.
“For the past 10 years, we have faced challenges. We have over 100 cases in court from those who claim the Deji is not the prescribed authority over their communities,” Oba Aladelusi said.
Reaffirming his status as the paramount ruler, the Deji emphasized that all Akure-speaking communities across Akure South, Akure North, and Ifedore local government areas fall under his traditional jurisdiction.
He said, “I believe anybody, any community that’s speaking Akure dialect is Akure, If you go to Akure North, Akure South, Ifedore, they all speaks Akure. Akure speaking communities is Akure. and who is the prescribed authority? It is the Deji. It has been there from time, I’m not trying to just put myself on top of anybody.
“When I got to the throne 10years ago, I went to all the Akure communities and told the traditional rulers that we should all come together, they should not compete with Deji. It’s just like me competing with Ooni or Oyo oba’s , people will just be laughing.
“When we came from Ife, nobody gave Deji staff of office, we brought it from Ife. We were Deji from Ife and we were ruling before governors started. it was the colonial masters that took away the kingship from us. So Deji has been paramount ruler from Ife.
“When we started we put Iju, Ogbolu, Ijare and others there, they are the sons of Deji. Now anybody from Akure North or Akure South can’t compete with Deji. God will help us come together. if we have one voice, we will do something better. Akure has the number, if we put our hands together, we will achieve great things.”
The monarch urged traditional rulers and leaders in the region to put aside competition and rivalries for the sake of unity, development, and political advancement, particularly in the push for an Akure indigene to become Ondo State governor.
“There is no unity among Akure-speaking communities. If we had spoken with one voice, we would have produced a governor long ago. But I believe the next governor of Ondo State will be from Akure,” he said.
Oba Aladelusi’s comments come as Akure marks a decade under his reign amid calls for greater cohesion among its people.
