Community demands monarch’s suspension
The Esa-Oke communityof Osun State has demanded the suspension of the newly appointed Olojudo of Ido Ajegunle, Prince Timi Ajayi, following violent clashes that erupted between them and the people of Ido Ajegunle.
The crisis began after the Osun State Government announced Ajayi’s appointment as the monarch of the village, which the Esa-Oke people claim as their own.
They insist that the village belongs to their community, with the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, not the Olojudo, having the authority to appoint a ruler over it.
In response to the unrest, Governor Ademola Adeleke launched an investigation into the underlying causes of the conflict.
A panel of inquiry was subsequently established and visited the disputed village on Tuesday, urging both parties to seek an amicable resolution to the crisis.
Led by panel chairman Mr. Ropo Oyewale, the delegation toured the village, which is home to about 17 dilapidated buildings.
Oyewale called for peace and assured the warring communities that the investigation would be carried out fairly and impartially.
“We should allow for peace. The mandate given to us is known to everybody, and we are working within that mandate. We want to appeal to you all to give peace a chance,” he said.
During the panel’s visit, Busuyi Ibironke, the spokesperson for Ido Ajegunle, insisted that their community had long been an autonomous settlement.
However, the legal representative for the Esa-Oke community, Mr. Adeniyi Adegbite, argued that Ido Ajegunle was part of Esa-Oke.
Adegbite called for the government to allow pending court cases related to the ownership and leadership of the village to reach a conclusion before any further actions were taken.
He further urged the government to refrain from installing a monarch in Ido Ajegunle while the case remained in court, as such a move would interfere with the judicial process.
“There is a court case filed by the same Ido settlers against both Esa-Oke and Efon Alaye people. The government should stay action on the issue of appointing anybody as the king of the town,” Adegbite stated.
He also emphasised the importance of resolving land ownership disputes, which are part of ongoing court proceedings, before the government makes any further decisions.
The situation has left many in the area injured and has caused a deep divide between the two communities, raising questions about the legitimacy of the appointment of the new monarch in the midst of ongoing legal disputes.
The call for the suspension of the newly appointed monarch reflects the tension and dissatisfaction surrounding the government’s handling of the matter.
