OSUN State government has released gazette and official memos to justify the recent appointment of Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle, vowing to prosecute those behind the arson and killings that occurred last Monday.
Among the documents released to the public was the official gazette of the state government dated 2005, which affirmed the Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, not Owaminran of Esa Oke, as the prescribed authority over Ido Ayegunle.
Two other documents were the elevation of the Oba Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle to part two in 2014, which was conveyed to the late Olojudo by both the local government and the palace of Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland.
The statement, signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Chief Kolapo Alimi, posited that the Adeleke administration has only followed due process as evidenced by legal and administrative documents existing before the advent of the new administration.
According to the statement, the administration followed the law and due process at its State Executive Council meeting which approved the new Olojudo.
Further details provided by the commissioner are as follows: “On July 16 1995, a communal clash occurred between Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle, which led to the loss of a life, as well as destruction of property when one Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi was appointed as Baale of Ido Ayegunle by the then Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.
“The state government, later in July 1998, set up a one-man enquiry into the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle Chieftaincy to investigate areas/settlements traditionally associated with Esa-Oke and determine whether Ido Ayegunle is among and to determine who the Prescribed Authority is between the Owamiran of Esa-Oke and Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
“The enquiry found that despite the fact that Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle are in the same Local Government and are contiguous, they have neither traditional or customary relationship and concluded that the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland should continue to be the Prescribed Authority to the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle Chieftaincy.
“This was affirmed by the then State Executive Council on 31st March, 2005 which approved that the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland should continue to be the Prescribed Authority over Ido Ayegunle. The then Governor signed the legal order on 28th November, 2005.
“The Baale appointed by the Owa Obokun in 1995, Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi, was in 2014 recommended for elevation by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland and subsequently, this recommendation was approved by the then State Executive Council in July 2014 and the stool of Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle was elevated to Part II Recognised Status with the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland as the Consenting Authority.
“Oba Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi joined his ancestors in October 2021 and efforts to fill the stool commenced after the completion of his burial rites. Three candidates contested the vacant stool and Prince Ajayi Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi emerged as the Olojudo-elect, having unanimously secured six votes from the kingmakers of Ido Ayegunle.
“This selection was affirmed by the meeting of the State Executive Council held on Wednesday 29th January, 2025 which approved the appointment of Oba Ajayi Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle”, the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke, on Tuesday, held a peaceful meeting with Esa-Oke community, with a pledge to investigate and make sure that culprits are brought to book.
Speaking at the meeting in the town, the governor added that he would set up a panel of inquiry to look into the crisis, adding that all their complaints would be looked into.
In their own message to the governor, the community charged the state government to reverse the white paper that appointed Prince Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ajegunle.
Chairman, Esa-Oke Central Union (ECU), Chief Bamigboye Yinusa Aremu, who made the appeal, said the action is necessary to restore the trust of the Esa-Oke people in the government and to prevent further escalation of tensions.
Earlier, fresh fact emerged that the traditional ruler of Esa-Oke narrowly escaped being lynched on Monday during the crisis, when hoodlums who invaded the town, burnt part of his palace.
The Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adeniran, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, confirmed that part of his palace was burnt, as well as his vehicle.
READ ALSO: Land disputes: Adeleke inaugurates crises resolution committee
and then