Community, Akure Monarch Clash Over Land, Chieftaincy

Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida
Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida

Another crisis is brewing between the Isinkan community in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State and Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida over the installation of lesser chiefs and an expanse of land.

The community in a petition to the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko through its Development Council, ICDC, asked the government to call the Deji of Akureland to order before the issue between the communities snowball into communal crisis.

The petition was copied to all security chiefs in the state, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Speaker the State House of Assembly and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The community alleged trespass on the land of Isinkan by the agents of Deji and the alleged deliberate efforts by the foremost monarch to undermine the authority of Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Olu Ojo.

It was signed by six chiefs of Isinkan including the Iralepo, who said Isinkan community is one of the communities constituting Akure kingdom and the community has been existing alongside the other communities constituting the kingdom from time immemorial.

According to the Iralepo, Isinkan community has its own people, its history, culture and land which are well distinguished from that of other communities in the Akure kingdom.

The ICDC said “for some reasons which are best known to the incumbent Deji of Akure, he has of recent been engaging in various acts that could provoke the anger of members of Isinkan community, but every time the situation has always been treated by the elders of the community with maturity so that the peace within Akure kingdom will not be endangered.

Their words: “The position of the Deji against the people of Isinkan is rather becoming unbearable to us hence the need for your good offices to let him realise the limit of his power over the people of the community.

“Going by what obtains in other communities around us the example of Isinkan community abounds, hence the need for the Deji to allow peace to reign in Akure kingdom.”

Contacted, an aide to the Deji of Akureland said the monarch was not aware of the petition.

The aide said in confidence that the Deji is the paramount ruler of the town and would not be drawn into any battle with his subjects. [ Vanguard ]