Deputy gov, monarchs move to end Ekiti boundary dispute

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, and four traditional rulers have intervened in the boundary crisis between the Igbemo-Ekiti and Orun-Ekiti communities in the state. A bus-stop shed constructed by the Orun youths was allegedly set ablaze two weeks ago by Igbemo youths who claimed that the land on which the project was […]

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, and four traditional rulers have intervened in the boundary crisis between the Igbemo-Ekiti and Orun-Ekiti communities in the state.

A bus-stop shed constructed by the Orun youths was allegedly set ablaze two weeks ago by Igbemo youths who claimed that the land on which the project was sited belonged to their (Igbemo) community.

Egbeyemi, at a peace meeting held in his office, warned the two communities against erecting new structures on the disputed boundary between them.

According to a statement on Monday signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi said the directive had become necessary to prevent a reoccurrence of violence and ensure a lasting peace between the two neighbours.

Monarchs who attended the peace meeting included the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, who is also the Chairman of the Council of Obas; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye; and the Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, Oba James Aladesuru.

The traditional rulers of the two communities in dispute, the Onigbemo, Oba Adewumi Daramola and the Olorun, Oba Joshua Osalusi, also led their chiefs to the meeting.

Egbeyemi, who appealed to the two communities to live in harmony, said government was not happy with the violence sparked by the burning down of the bus-stop shed, noting that peace was needed to facilitate development and attract investment to the state.

He maintained that government would only be committed to bringing dividends of democracy to communities when the locals embrace peace.

Egbeyemi disclosed that officials of the State Boundary Commission would soon determine the boundary between the two communities.

He said, “In law, Igbemo is distinct from Orun. Though they were once one entity, now they are different entities. I will ask officers of the Boundary Commission to investigate the boundary that is causing the problem.

“Kabiyesi Onigbemo, you should keep to all you have heard from the earlier Obas that have spoken. You may have some chiefs planning to foment trouble, don’t give them any chance to. I want to be visiting your communities to commission projects and not to settle conflicts.”

Oba Ajakaye, a former Chief Judge of the state, emphasized that it was only a competent court of law that can act on an Executive order which granted autonomy to the community.

Oba Adejugbe and Oba Aladesuru, in their separate comments, appealed to both communities to give peace a chance “for the sake of posterity and development.”

The monarchs of the two feuding communities, Oba Daramola and Oba Osalusi, promised to resolve their differences and work out modalities on how peace would finally return to their domains.