Ondo Installs New Alale Of Akungba After Decades Of Disputes

Ondo State has formally presented the staff of office to Oba Isiaka Adu as the Alale of Akungba Akoko, bringing to an end a prolonged chieftaincy tussle that spanned several decades.

The installation took place in Akoko South-West Local Government Area with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa presiding over the ceremony.

The governor said the government’s role was to restore peace in the town following years of legal battles and bitter rivalry among ruling houses. He stressed that the decision to hand over the staff of office was not an endorsement of any particular family but an obligation to respect judicial rulings in favour of Oba Adu.

The chieftaincy crisis had lingered since the death of Oba Sunday Adeyeye Ajimo in March 2025, with the Olugbade Ruling House initially due to produce a successor. However, successive court judgments upheld Adu’s claim to the throne, compelling the government to recognise him as the rightful monarch.

Governor Aiyedatiwa urged the new traditional ruler to see his ascension as a call to service, reminding him that he is now a father to all indigenes of Akungba. He appealed for the staff of office to be used as an instrument of unity and not division.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, praised the administration for respecting due process and ensuring that the long-standing conflict was resolved peacefully. Local government chairman Ayo Ajana described the installation as the beginning of a new chapter for the community.

In his remarks, Oba Isiaka Adu expressed deep gratitude to God and to the state government for honouring the Supreme Court’s judgment that secured his claim to the throne. He recalled that the aspiration of his Agure royal family dated back to 1951, making the occasion a historic milestone.

The new monarch pledged to use his reign to promote peace, foster unity, and drive development in Akungba, promising to prioritise the collective good of his people.