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The Ekiti State government urges for peace and unity amidst escalating land disputes in communities
The Ekiti State Government has called for peace, unity, and harmony among its citizens to address prolonged conflicts arising from land disputes in certain communities.
Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Monisade Afuye, made this plea in Ado Ekiti on Friday while resolving a land dispute involving three royal families in Epe, Ijero Local Government Area of the state.
This intervention stemmed from a petition submitted by the Elepe of Epe, Oba Ayodeji Adesoye, against three princes. The prince accused them of inciting violence and unrest in the community and obstructing his access to farmlands known as ‘Oko Oba,’ traditionally belonging to him.
The defendants, Busayo Atoye, Kole Atoye, and Pastor Amos Agbeleoba, refuted the allegations, asserting that the disputed farm belonged to their family and not the royal leader.
Mediating in the crisis, the Deputy Governor in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, expressed regret about how some towns were locked in lingering land crises for decades, thereby igniting acrimony, violence and unwarranted disunity.
She stated that the foregoing was contrary to the focus of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, whose priority was that all towns in Ekiti must be in peace and unity for development to be attainable.
While brokering a truce in the matter, Mrs Afuye urged the contenders to give peace a chance by showing respect to royalty and tradition, saying the government will dig deep into the issue and take proper actions that will give justice to all sides.
“I don’t want you to disparage your royal father and tradition, let us learn how to say the truth at all times. That is the essence of humanity. Governor Biodun Oyebanji is a lover of peace, we must respect his desire that all towns must be in peace”.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor had adjourned the matter to a later date for the government to take a final decision on the matter.
Speaking to the petition, Oba Adesoye, revealed that the land under dispute was allocated to him by the princes in accordance with the extant tradition after enthronement, saying the defendants’ family cannot lay claim to the ownership of the land.
Justifying the petition written to the government, Oba Adesoye added that the town would have been plunged into a violent crisis if he had allowed the matter to be handled locally due to the tension already rippling by the fierce resistance to his attempt to access the said farmland.
The monarch praised the government for being dispassionate in the way it handled the matter, saying he could foresee that settlement was in the offing with the way the imbroglio was being handled with despatch.
Defending their position, the defendants, Busayo Atoye, Kole Atoye, and Pastor Amos Agbeleoba, insisted that the farmland being designated as ‘Oko Oba’ belonged to their family and would be a great travesty of justice if the monarch forcefully acquired same.
They further argued that the tradition of consolidating lands under the control of the Elepe, as upheld by Oba Adesoye, ceased after the reign of Oba Arowolo. During that period, the entire farmland was delineated for the three ruling houses to oversee and manage.
They maintained that their late father, Oba Emmanuel Agbeleoba, who ascended the throne in 1977 and ruled the town for 41 years, adhered to the revised arrangement upon assuming office.
Adding to the discussion, a community leader, Chief James Eyebiokin, asserted that traditionally, the farmland was assigned to each reigning monarch, enabling them to benefit from palm oil proceeds to support the palace’s finances.
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
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