Looming Unrest: Olu of Songbe Accused Of Plan To Annex Communities

Monarchs of Idigba, Olorin, and Osuntedo communities in Osun State have alerted Governor Ademola Adeleke to the alleged illegal installation of village heads and land grabbing in the area.

The monarchs also urged the police and Department of State Services to wade into the matter to prevent breakdown of law and order.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, the Olu of Olorin, Oba Abdulyekeen Oyebisi, accused Olu of Songbe, Oba Kamilu Ojelabi of planning to annex the community.

Oba Oyebisi, who said Olorin is an autonomous community with a distinct history, added that Ogiyan of Ejigbo remained the only paramount ruler acceptable to all monarchs in the area.

He noted that Oba Ojelabi’s action was generating tension in the area, calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke, the police, DSS, and other security agencies to prevent Oba Ojelabi from causing a communal crisis.

Oba Oyebisi said, “The three towns of Idigba, Osuntedo, and Olorin are not under Songbe territory. Each of us has our towns and villages. In Olorin, we have four villages under us. In Osuntedo, they have six villages and Idigba has about 10 villages.

“This reaction is necessary because Oba Ojelabi, while featuring on a radio program on Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, mentioned Idigba, Olorin, Osuntedo, Imoru, Molosanowo, and others up to 40 towns and villages as part of his domain. We want the public to disregard it. It is untrue. All the towns mentioned are under Ejigbo Local Government, and Ogiyan of Ejigbo is our prescribe, not Olu of Songbe.”

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In his remarks, Olosuntedo of Osuntedo, Oba Adeola Akintunde, who raised the alarm on the illegal appointment of village head in his domain, said, “Right in my town, Oba Ojelabi appointed a village head to rival me. The person is still in Osuntedo as we speak. There is tension already. We are using this medium to call on the police, the DSS, and other security agencies in the state to assist the governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in preventing escalation.”

The representative of Olu of Idigba, Prince Saheed Amidu-Iseiku, also accused Oba Ojelabi of illegal appointment of head for Imoru village belonging to his community, saying, “A few days back, we were informed that Oba Ojelabi brought people to survey land in the village.”

Oba Ojelabi while reacting to the allegations, urged those accusing him to channel their grievances to the appropriate ministry, saying he has not contravened any law.

Oba Ojelabi who said the report of enquiry comprising the details of his domain had already been obtained, urged those accusing him to come forward with their proof.

“Rather than lay all manners of accusations against me, I urge those monarchs to write to the relevant ministry of government to know the truth. I have the report of the inquiry that contains every detail about boundaries in this area. I am not fighting anyone but they can channel their complaints to the government,” Oba Ojelabi said.