From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale, has rejected a claim by the palace of Olubadan, Oba Akinloye Olakulehin, that Odo Oba marks the boundary between Ibadan in Oyo State and Iwo in Osun State.
Oluwo called the claim false and a deliberate attempt to distort facts, stir tension among landowners, and cause chaos in the affected areas.
He noted that the boundary dispute is under review by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and described the Olubadan’s statement as disrespectful to the federal government and the efforts of AIG Zone XI, Emuobo Fred Ekokotu, who has urged both parties to maintain the status quo.
Oluwo advised the Olubadan’s palace to respect the NBC and police, avoiding comments that could escalate conflict.
Furthermore, Oluwo affirmed Papa Ebira as the established boundary, officially demarcated in 1991 when Osun State was created from Oyo State. He listed affected villages—Paku, Ogunajo, Oloola Molamu, Papa, Tifede, and Ejemu—as ancestral Iwo lands, with Osun State government facilities and polling units present.
In a statement released on Saturday through his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oluwo said, “I read the statement credited to Olubadan palace, Oba Akinloye Olakulehin, that Oba River is the boundary of Iwo with Ibadan, with dismay, coming at a critical moment when the AIG Zone XI, Emuobo Fred Ekokotu, is making concerted efforts to restore peace at the affected villages. Just two days ago, he invited the two parties to his office and tentatively directed the duo to stay off the affected villages.
“As a peace-loving father to the nation, I calmed the people of these villages. I encouraged them to respect the decision of the AIG and await the report of the National Boundary Commission. Any other message is an affront to the NBC and the police, representing the government, in resolving the dispute permanently.
“For record purposes, Papa Ebira is the boundary of Iwo with Ibadan, well demarcated in the map since 1991 when Osun was carved out of Oyo State. The disputed villages are ancestral properties of Iwo even before the creation of Ibadan. And there was never a time in history when Iwo and Ibadan fought and won part of each other’s land.
“Leaders of most of the warlords who fought for Ibadan hailed from Iwo. Balogun Ali Iwo, Ogun Mola, Oderinlo and a few others migrated from Iwo to Ibadan.
“The appropriate time has come to permanently resolve the land dispute. Let’s conduct ourselves and encourage our subjects to be law-abiding. No one is greater than the government. We should allow the government to do their job. Peace is priceless and should be promoted.”