Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration in Ekiti State has resolved the lingering chieftaincy and land disputes brewing in Ipole-Iloro, Ekiti West Local Government Area, warning that it won’t allow anyone to rubbish its final verdict on the matters to promote peace.
The government said its final verdict on the matters presented before it favored the two warring parties, saying it won’t tolerate any defiant position that could trigger violence and bloodshed after the final resolution.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, expressed the government’s position, while mediating in the crises over Edinmo chieftaincy and Otin farmland in Ipole Iloro community.
The crisis emanated from the disapproval raised by the petitioner, Mr. Femi Fayeba against Olupole of Ipole Iloro and respondent in the case, Oba Oladele Babatola over Edinmo chieftaincy and ownership of Otin farmland in the town.
While Fayeba claimed that the Edinmo chieftaincy and Otin farmland wholesomely belonged to Fayeba lineage, Oba Babatola posited that the chieftaincy was a rotational one and that the land under contention belongs to Saba extended family.
Handing down her verdict after listening to the two factions, who had appeared before the panel twice, Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Media Assistant,Victor Ogunje, stoutly agreed with Olupole that the chieftaincy already conferred on a personality from another lineage would be difficult to reverse.
However, Mrs Afuye directed that the lands at Otin farmstead belonging to the Edinmo chiefdom should be controlled by the petitioner to make the situation a no victor, no vanquished situation.
The Deputy Governor said: “I want to plead with all the factions in this matter to respect our final position and in my own humble opinion, this matter should be give and take, so that you can all go home laughing.
“Going by the testimony given by your oldest kingmaker, history already had it that Fayeba family had held the Edinmo chieftaincy title for long and the family also controlled the Otin farmland for a period of over 100 years.
“To resolve this matter, the person already conferred with the chieftaincy should be allowed to continue since you are from the same family, but not of the same lineage.
“However, the petitioner as the head of Fayeba family should be allowed to control the Otin farmland in the interest of peace. He can’t lose the two.
“We don’t want anyone to disobey our position on this matter. You know what Governor Biodun Oyebanji stands for when it comes to peace and security of lives and property.
“We must all join hands with our government to promote peace and good brotherliness in all our communities; that is the only way we can develop as a state and enjoy the dividends of democracy as a people”.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
