Amid growing concerns over the Ọsun/Ọyọ boundary dispute, His Imperial Majesty, Ọba AbdulRosheed Adéwálé Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, has strongly refuted claims allegedly credited to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Ọba Akinloye Olakulehin, regarding the true boundary between Iwo and Ibadan.
Oluwo described the claim that Odo Ọba marks the boundary between the two towns as “false, incoherent, a blatant distortion of facts, and a deliberate plot to heighten tension among the original landowners and cause chaos in the affected areas.”
Speaking through his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, the monarch emphasized that no individual or institution has the right to issue boundary declarations when the matter is actively before the National Boundary Commission (NBC).
He stressed that such pronouncements were an affront to the federal government’s authority and sabotage to the efforts of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone XI, Emuobo Fred Ekokotu, who had recently intervened to restore peace.
“No one has the right to make such a pronouncement when the matter is before the National Boundary Commission. Such a statement is synonymous with contempt of the federal government and a sabotage of the effort of the AIG Zone XI, Emuobo Fred Ekokotu,” Oluwo asserted.
The Oluwo advised the Olubadan’s palace to “respect the government represented by the Police and the NBC and restrain from comments likely to fuel further destruction in the area.”
Affirming Iwo’s historical boundary, Oluwo revealed that Papa Ebira has long been established as the limit of Iwo, with a demarcated map dating back to 1991 when Ọsun State was carved out of the old Ọyọ State.
“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,” he declared.
The Oluwo also provided evidence of Osun State’s presence in the disputed villages, noting that places such as Paku, Ogunajo, Oloola Molamu, Papa, Tifede, and Ejemu are ancestral villages of Iwo, where Osun State Government facilities and polling units are situated.
Addressing the historical relationship between Iwo and Ibadan, the monarch said, “The disputed villages are ancestral properties of Iwo even before the creation of Ibadan. There was never a time in history when Iwo and Ibadan fought and won part of each other’s land. In fact, leaders of most of the warlords who fought for Ibadan hailed from Iwo, including Balogun Ali Iwo, Ogun Mola, Oderinlo, and others who migrated from Iwo to Ibadan.”
Oluwo emphasized the need for peace and respect for legal processes, calling on all parties to await the outcome of the NBC’s findings.
“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,” he said.
He concluded with a strong call for restraint and adherence to lawful procedures: “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.”
