Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has announced the constitution of a panel of inquiry to investigate and resolve the ongoing chieftaincy dispute between the towns of Esa-Oke and Ido-Ayegunle in the Obokun Local Government Council area. This decision comes in the wake of violent clashes that erupted following the appointment of a new traditional ruler.
The formation of the panel was disclosed in a statement by Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to Governor Adeleke. The governor reiterated the state government’s commitment to peace and justice, emphasizing that the panel’s recommendations will be implemented once submitted. Rasheed urged all parties involved to cooperate fully with the panel.
The dispute has caused significant unrest, with property damage and heightened tensions between the two communities. Governor Adeleke’s intervention came after his visit to both towns, where he condemned the violence and expressed his commitment to uncovering the root causes of the conflict.
The newly established panel will be chaired by the Special Adviser to the Governor on House of Assembly Matters, Ropo Oyewole. Other members include Barrister Samuel Ojo, Special Adviser on Security Matters; M.O. Oyedeji, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Integration; and J. Amusan, Director of Staff Welfare, Public Service Office. The panel’s secretary will be Mrs. Adeola Ajekigbe, Deputy Director of Chieftaincy Affairs at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The panel has been tasked with investigating the causes of the dispute, assessing the damage, and recommending remediation measures. They are also expected to propose strategies for ensuring lasting peace in the area. The findings and recommendations must be submitted within two weeks of the panel’s inauguration.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dosu Babatunde, has confirmed that the panel will be inaugurated on March 4, 2025, in Osogbo. He stated that the government expects the panel to carry out its duties diligently and fairly, with the aim of resolving the issue in the best interest of both communities.
This move comes after the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, had called on Governor Adeleke to establish the panel, following a deadly clash in Esa-Oke in early February 2025. Both Oba Adediran and the Chairman of the Esa-Oke Central Union, Bamigbeyi Aremu, have expressed frustration over the delay in the panel’s establishment and have urged swift action to prevent further conflict.