Osun Monarchs Call For Govt’s Intervention Over Looming Communal Crisis

–Report Colleague To Adeleke Over Land Dispute

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Traditional rulers in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State have called on the state government to urgently intervene and prevent any potential communal conflict between communities following a controversial claims allegedly made by Oba Kamilu Ojelabi, the Olusongbe of Songbe.

The monarch’s statements according to the traditional rulers were made during a radio program aired by OSBC Radio on October 10, 2024.

They alleged that Oba Ojelabi declared himself as the prescribed authority in Ejigbo Local Government and claimed ownership of over 40 towns and hamlets, including major communities such as Songbe, Idigba, Olorin, Ibogunde, Imoru, Omolosan, Bada, and Ejigbo itself.

At a press briefing held at the palace of Ogiyan of Ejigbo, on Thursday, traditional rulers from Ejigbo LG Council strongly condemned the claims, warning that such misinformation could spark serious disputes between neighboring communities.

“We call on the government to step in and prevent any escalation. The public should disregard the false claims made by Oba Ojelabi, as they hold no truth. The Ogiyan of Ejigbo remains the sole authority over the lands in Ejigbo and its environs,” the statement read in part.

They urged the government to step in immediately to prevent any tensions from escalating.

The Olosinmo of Osinmo, Oba Olayiwola Ogunniyi, who read a press statement signed by royal fathers in the Ejigbo Local Government Area, declared that the Ogiyan remains the prescribing authority on chieftaincy matters in Ejigboland.

Oba Ogunniyi categorically refuted Oba Ojelabi’s claims, emphasizing that the only legitimate authority over Ejigbo and its surrounding lands rests with the Ogiyan.

He said Oba Ojelabi’s assertions, which were featured on a radio programme aired by the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, had aggravated tensions in the Ejigbo Local Government Area, urging residents of communities in the area to disregard Olusongbe’s claims.

Ogunniyi further stated, “We are reacting against the announcement made by Oba Kamilu Ojelabi (Olusongbe of Songbe) on the 10th of October 2024 programme hosted by Kunle Onilewura on OSBC Radio, in which he proclaimed himself as the presiding authority of the Ejigbo Local Government Area.

“That he owns the Ejigbo Local Government Land starting from Songbe, Idigba, Olorin, Ibogunde, Imoru, Omolosan, Bada, Edoro, and some other towns up to 40 towns and hamlets, including Ejigbo as a whole. We are now seizing this opportunity to inform the general public that they should disregard Oba Kamilu Ojelabi (Olusongbe of Songbe) as his claims are untrue information and misleading to the public.

“We want the public to disregard the information proclaimed by Oba Kamilu Ojelabi, the Olusongbe of Songbe, as mere hearsay without foundation. We hereby inform the public that Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin II (the Ogiyan of Ejigbo) is the rightful owner of Ejigbo land, and the Ogiyan of Ejigbo is the one who can enthrone and dethrone.”

“The claims made by Oba Kamilu Ojelabi are baseless and misleading. The entire Ejigbo community, including its lands and hamlets, falls under the authority of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo. Any attempt to usurp that authority is not only illegal but an attempt to destabilize the peace we have enjoyed for centuries,” Oba Olayiwola said.

He called on the government and relevant authorities to take swift action to resolve the matter before it escalates into inter-communal conflict.

Echoing a similar view, Alado of Ado-Orioke, Oba John Oyekanmi Oyegbade warned that allowing such claims to persist without intervention could result in a breakdown of law and order.

Oba Oyegbade said: “We cannot sit idly by and watch while someone attempts to rewrite history and cause confusion. The lands in Ejigbo have always belonged to the Ogiyan, and any claim to the contrary is an affront to our collective heritage”.

Moreso, Oba Zakariyua Owolabi, the Oluka Orangun of Ika, expressed his surprise at Oba Kamilu Ojelabi’s claims. “I was shocked when I heard it because he was once a Baale before being upgraded to Part 2. “What made him think of such claims is still unclear to us,” Oba Owolabi remarked.

Similarly, Oba Kareem Aderinto, the Olu Idigba of Idigba, stated that Oba Ojelabi’s claims were not just inaccurate but also dangerous.

“This is not just about land; it is about the peace and stability of our communities. We have lived together peacefully for generations, and we do not want a situation where false claims cause division among us. The government must step in now to ensure this does not happen,” Oba Aderinto said.

Also, Oba Abdul Yekeen Adewale, the Olu Olorin of Olorin, further added that Oba Ojelabi’s claims have no historical or legal basis. “This is a matter of record.

The Ogiyan of Ejigbo has always been the traditional ruler with authority over these lands. The boundaries have been well-established for generations. Oba Ojelabi’s attempt to claim lands that do not belong to him is a clear violation of tradition and law,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene and halt the ongoing misrepresentation of kingship history and land ownership in the Ejigbo Local Government Area.

Oba Oyesosin alleged that the Olusongbe of Songbe, Oba Kamilu Ojelabi, made statements misrepresenting facts about boundaries in Ejigboland.

The Ogiyan urged Adeleke to summon Olusongbe and question him, adding that findings by the governor should be made public for future reference.

When asked what he would want the governor to do regarding the allegation, Oba Oyesosin said, “Ojelabi (Olusongbe) should be invited and questioned on this issue, and the results of whatever he has said should be published for the communities.”

“It is very bad to give false information about what you are not, and then call yourself what you are not, It is his word, and whatever he wants, he can say with his mouth.” Oba Oyesosin emphasized.

When contacted for a reaction, Olusongbe stated that he never claimed prescribing authority over Ejigboland, explaining that he remains the paramount ruler over Songbeland.

“I mentioned Songbe territory, not Ejigbo land. It is true I was featured on a programme aired by OSBC. I counted my villages, and I have all the documents to back it up. If they have documents to support their claims, let them bring them. Someone is feeding those monarchs lies.

“People came to my villages to beg for farmland; a monarch was appointing them as village heads, asking them to side with him over land that is mine.

“If they are saying rubbish behind my back, they are just talking. They don’t have proof to back it up. I have documents. If they also want to talk, they should come with their documents. I have mine ready,” Olusongbe said.

In attendance were several prominent traditional rulers from across Ejigbo Local Government, all of whom voiced their support for the Ogiyan of Ejigbo and denounced Oba Ojelabi’s claims.

Some of the other monarchs present at the meeting included Oba Waliyu Akinbola, the Olugbon of Igbon; Oba K. O. Adesina, the Ologege of Ogege; Oba Akeem Ajayi, the Alayegunle of Ayegunle; Oba Tiamiyu Gbadegesin, the Onisara Edoro of Inisa Edoro; Oba John Oyekan, the Alado of Ado Orioke; Oba Najeemdeen Abefe, the Onisara of Inisa Titi 1; Oba Timothy Olugbodi, the Odoka of Ijimoba; Oba Samuel Oyedemi, the Oluwata of Iwata; Oba Yusuf Olasunkanmi, the Alafake of Afake; Oba Mathew Olaniyi, the Alato of Aato; Oba Ogunniyi Olayiwola, the Olosinmo of Osinmo; and Oba Rauf Ayelagbe, the Onilegun of Ile-Ilegun.