– Adeleke assures justice, urging full cooperation with the panel investigating the Esa-Oke and Ido-Ayegunle crisis.
The conflict erupted after the appointment of Prince Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido-Ayegunle.
Adeleke condemned property destruction and vowed to uncover the crisis’s root causes during his visit to both communities.
Flowerbudnews
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has authorised the formation of an investigative panel to settle the ongoing chieftaincy dispute between Esa-Oke and Ido-Ayegunle communities.
This information was shared in a statement issued on Friday by Olawale Rasheed, who serves as the spokesperson for Governor Adeleke.
The statement reaffirmed the government’s dedication to enforcing the panel’s recommendations upon submission.
“Governor Adeleke believes in justice and peace,” Rasheed said.
“We urge all parties to cooperate fully with the panel.”
The decision follows violent clashes that erupted after the selection of a new traditional ruler.
Governor Adeleke intervened after visiting both communities, denouncing the destruction of properties and promising to investigate the underlying causes of the conflict.
“We are committed to ensuring peace and justice. This panel will provide lasting solutions.”
The panel will be led by Ropo Oyewole, the Special Adviser to the Governor on House of Assembly Matters.
Other panel members, as revealed in the statement, include Barrister Samuel Ojo, Special Adviser on Security Matters, and M.O. Oyedeji, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Integration.
J. Amusan, Director of Staff Welfare at the Public Service Office, has also been appointed as a panel member.
“Mrs Adeola Ajekigbe, Deputy Director of Chieftaincy Affairs at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has been appointed as the panel’s secretary.”
The committee is expected to leverage their expertise to resolve the prolonged dispute effectively.
The terms of reference direct the panel to “determine the remote and immediate causes of the crisis that began on January 30, 2025, following the State Executive Council’s approval of Prince Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido-Ayegunle.”
“The panel will also assess damages and recommend remediation measures.”
“In addition, the panel is tasked with proposing strategies to ensure lasting peace in the area and addressing any other matters deemed necessary for their investigation.”
“Their findings and recommendations must be submitted within two weeks of the panel’s inauguration.”
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dosu Babatunde, disclosed that the panel’s inauguration is scheduled for March 4, 2025, at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Osogbo.
“We expect the panel to carry out its duties diligently and fairly,” Babatunde stated.
“The government is determined to resolve this issue in the best interest of both communities.”
Recall that the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, urged Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to fulfil his promise of setting up a panel of inquiry into the crisis.
Speaking to journalists in Esa-Oke on Tuesday, Oba Adediran expressed worries over the panel’s delayed inauguration, highlighting the community’s desire to seek justice.
He stressed that the town was eager to present its case after the violent clash with Ido-Ayegunle over the disputed land.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Esa-Oke Central Union, Bamigbeyi Aremu, voiced disappointment over the delay in implementing Governor Adeleke’s crisis resolutions.
He described the situation as still unstable, alleging that Ido-Ayegunle’s leadership, led by Baale Timileyin Ajayi, continues harassing Esa-Oke farmers.
He warned that the patience of the community was wearing thin and called on Governor Adeleke to take urgent action to prevent further conflict.
