The Adeyemi family of the Anikilaya dynasty has raised strong objections to what it described as a deliberate attempt to erase its place in the royal lineage of Ijebuland.
The controversy follows ongoing discussions about succession to the Awujale stool in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, after the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona last month.
The family argued that its exclusion from the Anikilaya ruling house list was a distortion of historical records.
According to the Adeyemis, their progenitor, Adeyemi Anikilaya, was the eldest crown prince of Oba Anikilaya Saagun Figbajoye, who reigned as Awujale of Ijebuland in 1821. His younger brothers were Ogbagba and Ademolu.
Historical accounts cited by the Adeyemis indicate that Prince Ademola Aiyegbajeje Adeyemi was initially considered for the throne after the death of Oba Daniel Adesanya, Gbelegbuwa II, in 1959.
He declined the position, after which his brother, Prince Mubashiru Adedipupo Adeyemi, put forward his son, Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who later ascended the throne in 1960 and reigned for over six decades until his death.
The Adeyemi ruling house further accused some members of the Anikilaya dynasty of sidelining their branch by awarding the family’s headship to a younger son and by including individuals they claimed were never part of the royal bloodline.
They specifically rejected the inclusion of Mabadeje, Adekoya Ofirigidi, and Adeire Adeewu, who were allegedly presented as descendants of Oba Anikilaya Saagun but were described by the Adeyemis as unconnected to the lineage.
Reaffirming their position, the Adeyemis maintained that they remain direct descendants of the eldest son of Oba Anikilaya Saagun Figbajoye and therefore rightful stakeholders in the succession process.
They called on the public to disregard what they described as misleading narratives aimed at sidelining their branch of the family in the unfolding royal succession debate.
