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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish an unbiased, independent committee to investigate the boundary dispute between Osun and Oyo states, particularly concerning the Iwo axis.
Oluwo expressed concerns that there are indications of a plan to cede parts of Osun State in the Iwo area to the Lagelu of Oyo State, a move he believes could trigger communal unrest in the affected villages.
He urged President Tinubu to take precautionary measures and ensure that the committee’s findings are reviewed by an objective and powerful body to prevent potential conflict.
In a statement released through his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, on Wednesday, Oluwo lamented the alleged attempts to undermine the ancestral rights of the people of Iwoland.
He said, “It will be difficult to console those whose ancestral land, houses, and essential government facilities are hijacked by compromised individuals.”
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The Oluwo recounted an incident from last April, where three people were reportedly killed by land grabbers from Offa and Lagelu. He had to intervene to prevent a reprisal attack, advising the community to pursue legal avenues instead.
He emphasised that all historical documents and evidence from Osun State appear to be misplaced and indicated that any missing documents should be sourced from the rightful owners.
“The people of Iwo are the landlords of the affected villages, with their schools, hospitals, and public facilities bearing the Osun identity. Forcing them into another state would be a national treason,” he stated.
Oluwo reiterated the necessity of an independent investigation into the ownership of the disputed villages and expressed his confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to maintain peace. He appealed to the Executive Governor of Osun State to monitor the committee’s findings and to the security operatives, especially the DSS, to scrutinise the committee’s activities to unveil the truth.
“The relatively peaceful states of Osun and Oyo should not be thrown into chaos by those who know nothing about the history of the land. Citizenship should be by will, not by force,” he added.
