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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Ibadan Peace Initiative, a group promoting peace within Ibadan land, has said it was abnormal for residents of Iwo, in Osun State, to invade Ogburo, a boundary community between Osun and Oyo State.
This was contained in a joint statement signed by the President and Coordinator, Ibadan Peace Initiative, Chief Niyi Ajewole and Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade respectively, on Sunday.
They alleged that the continued invasion of Ogburo community is a recipe for disaster, calling on stakeholders in Ibadan land and Oyo State to intervene before the issue degenerates into a full blown crisis.
The group also warned those causing crisis in Ogburo community to desist, saying the community belongs to Ibadan land and not Iwo.
They said the community can only have one monarch, which is the Ologburo of Ogburo, Oba Victor Oyedepo Olabamiji, who was recently installed by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade ll, adding that installation of any other monarch is null and void.
The statement emphasised that Ogburo community, from time immemorial belonged to Ibadan land, adding that all the past Oluwo of Iwo are aware of this fact.
It noted that despite the matter being currently with the National Boundary Commission, residents of Iwo have continued to advance towards Ibadan.
“It has come to our notice that the Ologburo recently installed by Olubadan can not go to his community over fear of attack, intimidation and harassment by thugs and alleged involvement of Oluwo of Iwo.
“Ologburo of Ogburo, HRH, Oba Victor Oyedepo Olabamji was one of the recently coronated Obas by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun, Alli Okunmade ll, following the process put in place by the administration of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, which was restructured by Governor Seyi Makinde.
“Odo Oba is naturally the boundary between Oyo and Osun State. The river flows from Asejire through Odo Oba, which was recognised as a common boundary between Oyo and Osun State without any form of crisis. One wonders the rationale behind the the refusal to accept this at Odo Oba axis. Oluwo is allegedly taking advantage of the hospitality of Ibadan land by shifting the boundary from Odo Oba to Ogburo.
“Ogburo belongs to Ibadan land from time immemorial; all the past Oluwo also know this, but the current Oluwo is promoting another Ologburo and trespassing on Ibadan land,” the statement added.
