5th February, 2025
Bamigboye Aremu, the Chairman of Esa-Oke Central Union, has blamed crisis that recently claimed four lives in the area on the imposition of Prince Timileyin Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ajegunle by the Osun State government.
Four people were reportedly killed and seven police officers injured during Monday’s protest against the government’s announcement of a new traditional ruler for Ido Ayegunle, a community located within Esa-Oke town.
Speaking during a meeting called by Gov. Ademola Adeleke with the indigenes and residents of the town in Ibokun Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday, Aremu blamed the government for the crisis with the appointment of a wrong traditional ruler.
“This appointment, made through a government white paper, is a source of great concern for us.
“Ajayi is a native of Ilesa, in the Ijesha South Traditional Council, and has no lineage or connection to the families that own the farmland.
“This imposition violates the traditional and historical jurisdiction of His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyemi Akanbi Adediran, Owa Omiran of Esa-Oke, and undermines the peace and unity of our community.
“We respectfully demand the reversal of the government white paper that appointed Prince Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle.
“This action is necessary to restore the trust of the Esa-Oke people in the government and to prevent further escalation of tension.
“Additionally, we appeal for the unconditional release of our youths who were indiscriminately arrested during the recent crisis,” Aremu said.
However, Gov. Adeleke of Osun vowed to bring those behind the killings and destruction of property in Esa-Oke over the appointment of a new traditional ruler to book.
Having identified violence as a hindering factor to community development, Adeleke said perpetrators of the uprising would be brought to book, no matter how highly placed they were.
He said the announcement of the new traditional ruler was done in good faith but “If you are not pleased, write your petition and I will act on it.
“There is no need for you to start fighting because I will do justice to your petition.
“I know we will have disagreements but not to the extent of killing and razing houses.
“What do we stand to gain,” he said.
Adeleke also promised to constitute a panel of inquiry to look into the immediate and the remote causes of the crisis.
