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IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Adeyemi ruling house, a branch of the Anikilaya dynasty in Ijebuland, Ogun State, has raised strong objections to what it calls a deliberate exclusion from the Anikilaya royal lineage – one of the ruling houses eligible to produce candidates for the stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland.
The protest comes in the wake of the recent death of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who joined his ancestors in July 2025.
The revered monarch hailed from the Anikilaya ruling house.
In a statement issued on Sunday, August 17, 2025, and electronically signed by Prince Adedeji Ademola Adeyemi, the family accused certain individuals within the ruling house of manipulating historical records to erase the Adeyemi branch from the royal lineage.
Prince Adeyemi stated that their forebear, Adeyemi Anikilaya, was the eldest son of the late Oba Anikilaya Saagun Figbajoye.
He added that Adeyemi’s younger brothers were Ogbagba and Ademolu.
Adeyemi further explained, “Prince Ademola Aiyegbajeje Adeyemi was initially selected for the Awujale stool following the death of Oba Daniel Adesanya, Gbelegbuwa II, in 1959.
“However, he declined the offer. His immediate brother, Prince Mubashiru Adedipupo Adeyemi, father of the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, then pushed forward his son, who was eventually crowned Awujale in 1960 with the approval of the kingmakers.”
The family rejected what it called a false claim by some members of the ruling house who refused to acknowledge the Adeyemis as the senior lineage, instead assigning leadership to a younger branch and including names they claim have no ancestral ties to the family.
Specifically, the Adeyemi ruling house opposed the inclusion of Mabadeje, Adekoya Ofirigidi, and Adeire Adeewu, describing them as “unknown alleged children” of the late Oba Anikilaya Saagun Figbajoye, who reigned in 1821.
“For the sake of historical accuracy, we reaffirm that we are the true descendants of Adeyemi Anikilaya, the first son of Oba Anikilaya Saagun Figbajoye, who ruled Ijebu Ode up to 1821”, the statement read.
The Adeyemi family called on the public to disregard media reports or statements from what it described as “a few misguided individuals” within the ruling house, insisting their claims are false and hold no legitimacy.
