The ongoing land dispute between Ibadan in Oyo State and Iwo in Osun State has taken a new turn with the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale, strongly rejecting a claim made by the palace of Olubadan, Oba Akinloye Olakulehin, regarding the boundary between the two regions.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Oluwo refuted the claim that Odo Oba, a river, serves as the boundary between Ibadan and Iwo. Oba Akinloye Olakulehin, the Olubadan of Ibadan, had earlier made this claim, but the Oluwo has described it as “false” and a “blatant distortion of facts.” According to the Oluwo, such claims are not only misleading but are intentionally aimed at heightening tensions between the two communities, thereby risking further conflict in the region.
Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale, who is the traditional ruler of Iwo, noted that the matter regarding the disputed boundary is currently under review by the National Boundary Commission (NBC). He stated that it was inappropriate and disrespectful for anyone to make such claims while the matter is still pending before the relevant authorities. He stressed that making such statements is an affront to the Federal Government’s efforts, particularly the work being done by the police and other government agencies to resolve the issue peacefully.
The Oluwo further stated that the claim made by Olubadan’s palace is also a sabotage to the efforts of the AIG Zone XI, Emuobo Fred Ekokotu, who has been actively working to restore peace in the affected areas. According to the Oluwo, the AIG recently intervened in the dispute and had urged both parties to respect the status quo until the NBC comes up with a final resolution. He also expressed concern that the Olubadan’s remarks could lead to more violence in the villages involved in the dispute.
As part of his response, Oluwo pointed out that Papa Ebira, not Odo Oba, is the officially recognized boundary between Iwo and Ibadan. He referred to a map officially demarcated in 1991, when Osun State was created out of the old Oyo State. This boundary was set by the National Boundary Commission and has been recognized by both Iwo and Ibadan. The Oluwo further clarified that the villages affected by the boundary dispute, including Paku, Ogunajo, Oloola Molamu, Papa, Tifede, and Ejemu, are all ancestral lands of Iwo, with Osun State Government facilities and polling units present in these areas.
In his statement, Oluwo revealed that the disputed land was historically part of Iwo long before the creation of Ibadan. He pointed out that many of the leaders of Ibadan’s early military leaders, including Balogun Ali Iwo and others, originally hailed from Iwo. This, he said, was an important historical context that should not be ignored in discussions about the boundary.
Oluwo highlighted the importance of peaceful resolution and urged all parties to allow the government and relevant authorities, such as the National Boundary Commission and the police, to do their jobs. He called on both Iwo and Ibadan to work together and respect the government’s efforts to permanently resolve the dispute. He warned that attempts to escalate the matter could lead to more chaos and violence, which would only hurt the people in the affected areas.
In his statement, the Oluwo also called for greater respect for peace and law, encouraging all residents to stay calm and avoid any actions that could inflame tensions. He appealed to the traditional leaders involved to remain law-abiding, emphasizing that no one is above the law, and urged that the government’s role in resolving the issue should not be undermined.
Finally, the Oluwo reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the issue peacefully and expressed confidence that the National Boundary Commission would offer a lasting solution to the boundary dispute. He also praised the efforts of the AIG, who has been working hard to maintain peace, and advised that all statements and actions that could interfere with this process should be avoided.
