Oluwo counters Olubadan on boundary dispute, insists on Ebira line
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale, has countered a recent claim attributed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Olakulehin, regarding the boundary between Iwo and Ibadan.
In a statement made available to newsmen by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oba Adewale described the claim by the Olubadan—that the Oba River serves as the boundary between Ibadan and Iwo—as false, incoherent, and a blatant distortion of facts intended to create tension among the original landowners and cause chaos in the affected areas.
According to the traditional ruler, no one has the right to make such a pronouncement when the matter is currently before the National Boundary Commission (NBC). He stressed that such a statement amounts to contempt of the Federal Government and sabotages the efforts of AIG Zone XI, Emuobo Fred Ekokotu, who has intervened and invited the two parties to respect the status quo.
Oba Adewale affirmed that Papa Ebira is the established boundary of Iwo, officially demarcated on the map in 1991 when Osun State was created from the old Oyo State.
He revealed that the affected villages—such as Paku, Ogunajo, Oloola Molamu, Papa, Tifede, and Ejemu—are all ancestral villages of Iwo, with Osun State Government facilities and polling units present in the areas.
His words: “I read the statement credited to the Olubadan Palace, Oba Akinloye Olakulehin, that Oba River is the boundary of Iwo with Ibadan, with dismay, coming at a critical moment when the AIG Zone XI, Emuobo Fred Ekokotu, is making concerted efforts to restore peace at the affected villages. Just two days ago, he invited the two parties to his office and tentatively directed both to stay off the disputed villages.”
“As a peace-loving father to the nation, I calmed the people of these villages. I encouraged them to respect the decision of the AIG and await the report of the National Boundary Commission. Any other message is an affront to the NBC and the police, who are representing the government in resolving the dispute permanently.”
Oba Adewale emphasized that the appropriate time has come to permanently resolve the land dispute, urging all stakeholders to conduct themselves responsibly and encourage their subjects to be law-abiding. “No one is greater than the government. We should allow the government to do its job. Peace is priceless and should be promoted,” he added.
