By Ayo Olowu

Traditional rulers from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have declared that their rejection of the inclusion of any part of Ilaje land in the proposed Ijebu State by the Federal Government was informed by their resolution to make Ilaje land one and indivisible entity with no part thereof excised.

The monarchs emphasised that the only condition under which any part of Ilaje land can be excised is by creation of more local governments or administrative units therefrom, within the same state, to which they may clearly and unambiguously subscribe, if need be, in the fullness of time.

These declarations were contained in a release and communique jointly signed by the Amapetu of Mahin and Chairman, Ilaje Council of Obas, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Segun Williams Akinyomi and the Odoka of Obe- Ogbaro and Secretary, Ilaje Council of Obas, His Royal Majesty, Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, made available to journalists in Akure.

Recall that the Ilaje traditional rulers had on Wednesday met with the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa in his Alagbaka Office, Akure and presented him a White Paper for the total rejection of the inclusion of any part of Ilaje land in the proposed Ijebu State by the Federal Government.

The monarchs equally charged some misguided officials, including security agents making false territorial claims for Ogun State to desist from creating unwarranted crisis in the area.

They also urged Ondo State people to remain steadfast with Governor Aiyedatiwa as he strives to deliver on his promise of improving the living conditions of the people in the state.

The monarchs said, “Our visitation to Governor Aiyedatiwa was to present him the communique of the meeting of all the Ilaje traditional rulers, held on  February 7, 2025, calling on the Ondo State and Federal Governments to ensure the security of our people and advise misguided officials including security agencies making false territorial claims for Ogun State to desist from creating unwarranted crises in the area.”

“Attempts to extend Ijebu or Ogun State authority to Irokun have been rejected by Irokun Obas and even Ijebu officials from British colonial times as attested to by the District Officer Ijebu-Ode in his letter N0.71/1920 of  July 9, 1920, to his Ondo Division counterpart that “neither Irokun nor the village of Obi were in Ijebu country.

“Olurokun Oba Joga Adejipe, pursuant to the enactment of the Native Authorities Ordinance of 1924, in his letter through the Maporure of Ihapen Agerige-Ilaje dated 8th October 1937 to the District Officer on Tour Mahin, restated his Ilaje ancestry and insisted that his kingdom remained part of the Ilaje District.

“The situation was the same during the reign of Olurokun Oba Beniah O Omosehin when, following the request of the Chieftaincy Department in a letter ref. N0. CHM7/4/24 dated May 24, 1982, signed by S.O Abiodun for the Secretary to the Ogun State Government to the Secretary Ijebu Traditional Council which at its Meeting held at the Conference Room of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Itoro, Ijebu-Ode on Friday 22nd October 1982 admitted that “available records did not show that Oba Olurokun of Irokun was at any time a member of the Ijebu Traditional Council”.

“Meeting noted the recent antics of some Ogun State officials in Irokun, particularly since the demise of Olurokun Oba Olowoniyi Abejoye whose daughter, Princess Adeyinka Abejoye-Ogunyemi, has since been appointed Regent and advised those fanning crises to check themselves and remember the age-long peaceful co- existence among our peoples.

Meeting also received reports of some hired armed hoodlums who invaded the Ilaje community of Eba burning properties and claiming to be working for the Ogun State Government, aided by some members of security agencies.

Meeting noted that Eba including Eba Island which host oneof  the Ondom State Forest Reserves acquired by the colonial administration as part of Ilaje District is not on the boundary with Ogun. Meeting also recalled that the Ondo State Government between 2014 and 2015, following reports by the people through Oba Molokun of Atijere initiated extensive investigation of reported mineral deposits on Eba Island including at Ago Alaja and the adjoining Ilaje communities.

“Meeting called on the Ondo State and Federal Government to ensure the security of our people and advise misguided officials including security agencies making false territorial claims for Ogun State to desist from creating unwarranted crises in the area.

“Meeting was informed and took cognisance of agitations by different peoples and groups of Nigeria for creation of states with proposals to that effect submitted by members and published by concerned Committees of the National Assembly as reported in the media one of which is the proposed IJEBU STATE which published component parts strangely feature names of Ilaje communities.

“Traditional rulers and some other prominent stakeholders from Ilaje Local Government, who were present at the meeting  are His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Segun Williams Akinyomi, the Amapetu of Mahinland; His Imperial Majesty, Oba Raphael Ilesanmi Ikuemonisan Mafo. The Maporure of Agerige, Aheri; His Royal Majesty, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, the Olu of Igbokoda; His Royal Majesty, Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Obe-Ogbaro; His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Samuel O. Adeoye Edema, the Molokun of Atijere; His Royal Majesty, Oba Kalejaiye Rotimi Williams, the Monehin of Obinehin; His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeoloye Olawole, the Alara of Araromi-Seaside; His Royal Majesty, Oba Kolawole Arowojolu, the Osowa of Ugboroko; His Royal Majesty, Oba Prof. Aderibigbe Olomola, the Arapanata of Itebu Kunmi; His Royal Majesty, Oba Oyetayo Ofoaye, the Alaboto of Aboto; His Royal Majesty, Oba Olatunji Fayemi, the Onitedo of Mahintedo; Mr. Oluyemi Ogunyomi, former Clerk of the National Assembly and Sir Benson Obayelu, member Governing Council, OAUTECH, Okitipupa.