In a bid to avert bloodshed and strengthen the regional bond between Ekiti and Ondo States, Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, is to intensify efforts to resolve holistically, the boundary disputes brewing among some towns in the two contiguous states.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the hint, on Thursday, while intervening in a petition written by land owners in Iwada Community, Araromi Ugbesi Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government over the festering land dispute they are having with Igasi Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government of Ondo State.
Appealing to the land owners to eschew crisis, Mrs Afuye, via a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, said Ondo and Ekiti States, had built a long term relationship, and that land dispute won’t be allowed to shatter such brotherhood and fraternity.
The Deputy Governor, told the community to assemble all relevant documents that could be presented as evidence of ownership when the matter is being resolved with Ondo State.
“Let me commend you for toeing the path of peace. That has been the principle of our dear governor, who is a known peace maker. We knew that some of our towns are having some crises with some towns in Ondo State. We don’t want any bloodshed. If you lose your life, you can’t be laying claim to any land.
“We will engage our brothers in Ondo State on some of these matters. What we want is peace and we will get it. Please, help us appeal to our youth to be patient with us.
“We will soon visit Ondo State to engage them on some of these issues. But before we go, make sure you assemble all relevant documents that can help your case. The peace you are enjoying in Ekiti is a product of actions that this government is taking”.
Defending the petition, the trio of Alala of Iwada Quarters, Ugbesi Ekiti, Chief Abraham Aluko, the Oloda, Chief Martins Oluyele, and the Secretary of Iwada Community, Mr. Adebamigbe Owoyemi, alleged that their people were attacked on March 26,2025 on a land belonging to them, but leased to some farmers in Igasi Akoko for farming.
The claimants said the matter began with an allegation that Ugbesi farmers harboured Fulani herders on their land, when only people of Tivs nationality were the ones operating as farmers in the area that belonged to them from time immemorial.
They alleged that the attackers from Igasi Akoko, with the help of some military personnel, manhandled their people and inflicted bodily injuries on them, while some of their property, including vehicle, were seized and taken to their town.
Tracing the historical trajectory of the land under contention , which was boundary between Ondo and Ekiti in that axis , they asserted that the area was demarcated in their favour in August 2006, while evidence abound substantiating how Igasi farmers paid royalties to the people of Iwada Community in Ugbesi Ekiti.
They also accused the attackers of removing the pillars and other insignia erected to demarcate the area, to confuse the public.
“We have evidence of payment of royalties by farmers from Igasi Akoko to our fathers since 1957 up to 1966 and till 1993. We didn’t know that their plan was to forcefully take over the land we gave to them out of love.
“They have been beating and harassing our people. We don’t want to take laws into our hands or allow the matter to cause any loss of life and that is why we are here, so that you can intervene and call them to order”.
Addressing the issue, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor, Mr Abayomi Opeyemi and the Ekiti State Surveyor General, Surveyor Adebayo Faleto, pledged that the government will catalogue all the land crises between the two states and tackle them wholesomely during their planned inter state parley.