Apprehension in Ikoyi Kingdom and Ikoyiland Over Mysterious Death of Kingmakers

While Ikoyi-Ile, the sleepy ancient town and headquarters of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State awaits the Oyo State Government on the enthronement of a new Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile, a mysterious string of deaths have befallen the main town and neighbouring communities.

The stool of the Onikoyi is yet to be filled by the Government of Oyo State since the demise of the late Onikoyi, Oba Abdulyekeen Oladipupo IV on April 7, 2022. The stool has remained vacant for over three years while the contest for the next Onikoyi have been stalled by several interests within and outside the town. Investigations reveal that there are vested interests trying to manipulate the entire selection process against the tradition of the town.

While the selection process of a new Onikoyi have remained inconclusive, two of the seven Kingmakers have died mysteriously within a space of two weeks. The Kingmakers who are also warrant chiefs are the Baale of Ajinapa Village, Chief David Areo Ogunmola Anisere and the Baale of Aribaba Village, Chief Amodu Ajao Akande, all under Ikoyi Kingdom and Ikoyiland.

While the entire town remains unnaturally calm with a lull in activities, the once bustling Onikoyi's Palace have remained under lock and key for over three years and has become a shadow of it's self in the absence of an Onikoyi.

This has left the people especially youths in the town and those in communities across Ikoyiland unhappy as they generally feel abandoned by the Oyo State Government on this and other issues.