Victor Akinkuolie
Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government has again reiterated that the autonomy granted to some communities was intended to drive development at the grassroots, and not to stir up acrimony between towns.
The government expressed concern over the increasing cases of violence and enmity between the host and excised towns, warning that no community would be allowed to engage in belligerent actions that could undermine efforts to achieve the goals set around autonomy.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, provided this clarification in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, during an interaction with stakeholders regarding the ongoing land dispute between Igbemo and Orun Ekiti in the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the State.
Orun, which had previously existed as a quarter in Igbemo Ekiti, was granted autonomy on September 14, 2013, during the first term of Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Addressing the stakeholders at the meeting, Mrs Afuye urged the Onigbemo of Igbemo Ekiti, Oba Adewumi Daramola, and the Olorun of Orun Ekiti, Oba Joshua Osalusi, to rein in their subjects and prevent any conflict that could escalate into violence between the two communities.
She said: “The two Kabiyesis can sit and settle this matter amicably. The concept of autonomy granted to some towns, as gazetted in the Ekiti State Government White Paper, was to accelerate development at the grassroots. But, sadly, some people are making it seem otherwise.
“Some of you have intermarried and have a lot in common. I expect both the old and new communities to live in harmony. The development of your towns and subjects should be your focus, not unnecessary disputes over land.”
Mrs Afuye promised that the government would deploy experts from the Ekiti State Boundary Resolution Technical Committee to carry out proper boundary demarcation between the two towns to resolve the issue permanently.
In his contribution at the meeting, the Onigbemo of Igbemo Ekiti, Oba Daramola, said there was no document from the government suggesting that Orun Ekiti had been allocated any land taken from the aborigines, despite being granted full autonomy.
The monarch firmly argued that since the land demarcation had not been completed, it remained an established fact that all lands within the radius of the two towns belonged to his community.
Countering this position, the Olorun of Orun Ekiti, Oba Osalusi, said the autonomy granted to his people in 2013 included benefits such as the right to manage their traditions, lands, and development without interference from Igbemo Ekiti.
However, Oba Osalusi agreed with his colleague that the delay in the boundary delineation by the government had led to the misconception that his community had no land of its own, describing this as a gross violation of his people’s rights.
The monarch said: “There was a time in this country when the Western Region was the governing authority in the southwest. Six states were later created from it, with Ondo State being one of them. Later, Ekiti State was carved out of Ondo State. Today, does Ekiti not have land of its own?
“I appeal to the government to carry out the boundary delineation promptly. The delay in this process is causing difficulties for us,” he said.
Meanwhile, the two monarchs have pledged to live peacefully and mediate in the land dispute to restore normalcy where necessary.