Ilara-Mokin to Deji of Akure: Stop Rewriting Our History

The people of Ilara-Mokin have issued a strong rebuttal to a recent publication by the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyibo Aladelusi, in which he asserted that the Deji’s stool is the historical and prescribed authority over Akure-speaking communities, including Ifedore Local Government.

In a rejoinder signed by Chief Isaac Adefemi Ogundari, Secretary of the Alara-in-Council, the indigenes of Ilara-Mokin outrightly rejected the Deji’s assertions, describing them as historically inaccurate and dismissive of Ilara-Mokin’s unique origin and royal heritage.

“We do not in any way owe our origin and identity to Akure,” the statement reads. “While we respect the Deji’s stool and its role in Akure’s history, we must reaffirm that Ilara-Mokin stands as a distinct entity with its own ancestral lineage.”

Tracing their origin to Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba civilization, the Ilara-Mokin community emphasized their descent from Obalufon Ogbogbodirin, the fourth Ooni of Ife.

The founding monarch, Obalufon Modulua Olutipin, established Ilara-Mokin in the 13th century — a move the community says was driven by a quest for self-determination and autonomy.

“The name Ilara-Mokin, derived from the ‘Okin’ bird, represents our identity and sovereignty,” the statement added. “Our ancestors did not migrate from Akure, and our kingdom was not an offshoot of the Akure monarchy.”

The Alara-in-Council further highlighted the contributions of past Alaras and reaffirmed the leadership of the current monarch, Oba Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti, FCA, JP, as a custodian of the community’s heritage and a driving force for development.

While the rejoinder acknowledged linguistic and cultural similarities between Akure-speaking communities, it insisted that such ties do not equate to subordination.

“We reject the insinuation that the Deji is the prescribed authority over Ifedore or Ilara-Mokin. Respect is reciprocal, and the Deji cannot demand what he did not give,” Chief Ogundari stated.

The strongly-worded statement concludes with a call for mutual respect and historical accuracy, urging stakeholders to recognize the autonomous place of Ilara-Mokin in the Yoruba cultural landscape.

This development may deepen already delicate relations among traditional stools in the region as the debate over historical dominance and cultural identity intensifies.