Adeleke inaugurates 100-member panel to resolve Osun land disputes

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has inaugurated an expanded 100-member Land Crisis Resolution Committee to address the lingering land disputes between the Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun communities in the state.
The committee, comprising 25 representatives from each of the affected communities and 25 members from the State Government, is charged with finding a lasting resolution to the crisis.
Represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, Governor Adeleke expressed disappointment over the failure of previous efforts to resolve the feud among the warring communities.
The Governor also cautioned against politicizing the crisis, emphasizing that his administration would no longer tolerate the manipulation of such issues for political gains.
He said:
“I am shocked that stakeholders in the crisis have forgotten that peace has always been among humanity’s highest values. We all know that peace is not just the absence of conflict but the state of actively working together for progress and development.
Our government is deeply concerned about the incessant disputes among the communities of Ifon and Ilobu. In view of recent developments and to prevent further escalation, our administration has initiated a process that will guarantee lasting peace in the affected communities.
The new initiative includes external leaders as part of the conflict resolution team, with the goal of mediating and finally putting an end to the crisis.
The administration frowns on any attempt to politicize the crisis. We particularly warn those masquerading under communal struggles for political agendas to stay away from the issue. We will no longer tolerate playing politics with the lives of our people.”
The committee is chaired by the Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II, while retired judge and Chairman of the Osun State Boundary Commission, Justice Moshood Adekunle Adeigbe, serves as co-chairman. Four other revered traditional rulers and other government-appointed individuals are also members of the committee.
The committee has been given two weeks to submit its findings and recommendations to the Osun State Government.
Governor Adeleke urged the members to bring their wealth of experience to bear on this critical assignment, stressing the importance of peace in fostering social harmony, security, and economic stability.
Earlier, the co-chairman of the committee, Justice Moshood Adekunle Adeigbe, speaking on behalf of the chairman, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, assured the State Government that the committee would work to ensure peaceful coexistence among the warring communities.