…wades into Ugbesi/Igasi Akoko land tussle

By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti

In a bid to avert bloodshed and strengthen the regional bond between Ekiti and Ondo states, the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is intensifying efforts to holistically resolve the boundary disputes brewing among some communities in the two contiguous states.

The Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the hint on Thursday while intervening in a petition written by landowners in the Iwada community, Araromi Ugbesi-Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government Area, over the lingering land dispute with Igasi-Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Appealing to the landowners to eschew violence, Mrs Afuye, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, said Ondo and Ekiti states had built a long-standing relationship, stressing that a land dispute would not be allowed to disrupt such brotherhood and fraternity.

The Deputy Governor urged the community to assemble all relevant documents that could serve as evidence of ownership when the matter is being resolved with the Ondo State Government.

“Let me commend you for toeing the path of peace. That has been the principle of our dear governor, who is known as a peacemaker. We are aware that some of our towns are experiencing crises with communities in Ondo State. We do not want any bloodshed. Once a life is lost, you cannot lay claim to any land.

“We will engage our brothers in Ondo State on some of these issues. What we want is peace, and we will achieve it. Please help us appeal to our youths to be patient with us.

“We shall soon visit Ondo State to engage them on some of these matters. But before then, ensure you compile all relevant documents that can strengthen your case. The peace we enjoy in Ekiti today is a result of the proactive steps being taken by this government,” she said.

Defending the petition, the Alala of Iwada Quarters, Ugbesi-Ekiti, Chief Abraham Aluko; the Oloda, Chief Martins Oluyele; and the Secretary of Iwada Community, Mr Adebamigbe Owoyemi, alleged that their people were attacked on March 26, 2025, on land belonging to them but leased to some farmers from Igasi-Akoko for agricultural purposes.

The claimants said the crisis began with an allegation that Ugbesi farmers were harbouring Fulani herders on the land, whereas only people of Tiv nationality had been operating as farmers on the land they inherited from time immemorial.

They alleged that the attackers from Igasi-Akoko, aided by some military personnel, manhandled their people, inflicted bodily injuries on them, and carted away some of their property, including a vehicle, to their town.

Tracing the historical ownership of the disputed land, which marks the boundary between Ekiti and Ondo in that axis, they asserted that the area was officially demarcated in their favour in August 2006, adding that there is abundant evidence showing how Igasi farmers had paid royalties to the people of Iwada community in Ugbesi-Ekiti.

They further accused the attackers of uprooting boundary pillars and other demarcation symbols to mislead the public.

“We have evidence of royalty payments made by farmers from Igasi-Akoko to our forebears from 1957 to 1966, and up until 1993. We never knew their plan was to forcefully take over the land we gave them in good faith.

“They have been beating and harassing our people. We do not want to take the law into our hands or allow the issue to claim any life. That is why we are here, to seek your intervention and urge you to call them to order,” they pleaded.

Speaking on the matter, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi, and the Ekiti State Surveyor General, Surveyor Adebayo Faleto, pledged that the government would document all land disputes between the two states and address them comprehensively during the forthcoming interstate parley.