In a bid to fortify the existing relationship that can withstand any threat, the Ekiti and Ondo States have set machinery in full throttle to resolve the boundary tussles in all the border towns between the two states.
This unanimous and far-reaching decision was taken during a brainstorming session held in Akure, Ondo State Capital, on Thursday, when Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, led a delegation to her counterpart in Ondo State, Dr. Olaide Adelami
The trouble-shooting parley stemmed from the existing strain relationships and protracted boundary impasse among some towns at the border posts of the two contiguous states and to fashion how best to tame them.
Some of the flashpoints mentioned to be experiencing persistent and harrowing land crises include: Emure Ekiti and Supare, Ugbesi Ekiti and Igasi Akoko, Ahan Ayegunle Ekiti and Oke Agbe, Imesi Ekiti and Irun Akoko, among others.
Mrs Afuye, in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, said in her message that the two states, had built enduring relationship since 1976, saying these crises won’t be allowed to fester and throw a spanner in the wheel of progress.
She emphasized the expediency of the two states mulling different peace initiatives to resolve these issues to avert violence and bloodshed at the grassroots.
Mrs Afuye added that her principal, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, is an advocate of peace, good neighborliness and building of bridges with sister states to ward off insecurity and other transborder criminalities.
“Ondo and Ekiti States have come a long way. Let us imbibe the spirit of give and take in resolving some of these issues. We have been agitating for long that we should meet, so that we can resolve some of the crises at hand. We want to thank the people of Ondo State for embracing this peace mission.
“There is nothing to gain in fighting or killing ourselves. It is better we talk to each other and resolve our differences than allowing bloodshed. Wherever there is boundary dispute, there is always loss of lives and property. We have to prevent this”, she stated.
Restating that the relationship between the two states remains invincible, the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Olaide Adelami, applauded the Ekiti State Government for the peace initiative and for believing in their abilities to resolve some of the boundary impasse.
Dr Adelami pledged full cooperation of Ondo State with Ekiti in resolving these challenges, saying the bond of unity between the two states remains unbroken.
“I want to appreciate the Ekiti State Deputy Governor for this initiative. With this meeting, our people will know that we are talking and ready to synergise to resolving whatever differences we have regarding boundary disputes.
“The technical committees of the two states will meet and look for ways to demarcate some of these areas where we have issues. Settling land dispute has been a continuous efforts. In 2023, the NBC came to Ondo State to resolve some issues and what we agreed on was that, the tripartite points between states should be established.
“We are brothers and sisters before the creation of Ekiti State, but I believe our demarcation was just a mere artificial demarcation. In culture and traditions, we are the same and inseparable.
“After this meeting, we know that peace is on the way. And our steps will send a signal to all the affected communities that peace is on the way. Talking to each other and forging collaboration is the best way to go, we have to collaborate for us to settle some of these issues amicably”.
At the parley, the technical committee of each state was mandated to speak with the affected towns on the need to embrace peace before the final meeting of the experts that will midwife the final peace process.
Experts and members of the Boundary Technical Committee that attended the parley are: Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi, his counterpart in Ondo State, Mr, Idowu Ojo, Ondo State Surveyor General, Surveyor Idowu Owolabi, Surveyor General of Ekiti State, Surveyor Adebayo Faleto, Deputy Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mr. Victor Adeniyi, Executive Secretary, Ekiti State Boundary Commission, Surveyor Olalekan Olajide, his colleague in Ondo State, Surveyor Francis Daramola, among others.