Oyo Acting Governor Resolves Disputes, Promotes Peace – Ensuring Security and Prosperity for All

…As Govt Takes Decisives Action Against Violence

Following an emergency meeting regarding boundary disputes in some part of areas in Oyo zone, the Acting Governor of Oyo state, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, has urged royal fathers to support the current administration in its efforts to ensure a peaceful atmosphere across the state.

The Acting Governor, who gave the admonition while resolving boundary disputes between Oyo East and Oyo West Local Government at the Governors’ office on Thursday, stated that the state government will not allow violence to take root in Oyo state.

He emphasized the need for cooperation between royal fathers in Oyo zone, noting that it was part of the government’s call while presenting staff of office to the Onifiditi of Fiditi land, Oba Sakiru Oyewole Adekola-Oyelere Ajani-Eedu II and Alaawe of Awe, Oba Cornelius Abiola Taiwo Oladokun III.

Barr. Lawal, however, bemoaned the consistent issues in the zone, pointing out that the state government had just resolved the issue of a school that was closed down for 19 years.

According to him, communal clashes should not even be permitted in the state while the government is still dealing with issues like banditry, kidnapping, and mining, among others.

The Acting Governor, who warned the royal fathers to desist from tormenting violence, added that royal fathers have no power to be promoting violence or whatsoever in the state.

He equally called on the zone’s local government chairmen to cooperate and maintain a peaceful coexistence for the state’s growth, emphasising that issues that have been wronged for six years ought to be appropriately addressed rather than being handled violently.

He said: “On behalf of His Excellency, Seyi Makinde, I appeal to our royal fathers to allow peace to reign in Oyo zone. This is not the time for communal clashes when government is still addressing the issue of banditry, kidnapping, mining, among others.

“If you want to execute judgement, you just have to reflect on the consequences. As government, we will deal decisively with anyone that may want to promote violence in Oyo state.

“The chairmen are in government, they must always find a way of bringing everybody together through dialogues and must not in anyway toe the path of violence. The primary duty of government is to ensure security, and my concern is security of lives and properties. After this meeting, see how you can leverage ond resolve this issue amicably.

“If there is any report of further encroachment or violence; primarily, it’s the local government chairmen that will be invited. And whoever is laying claims to any judgement or constitutional right, should submit the reports to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy matters in two weeks to be examined by ministry of Justice.

“So, I am glad that we reached out to you on time over the current issue, and I pray that Oyo state will continue to move forward.”

The commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, who spoke to journalists after the meeting, explained that the emergency meeting was conveyed following reports of destructions, troubles in some areas in Oyo zone regarding boundary disputes.

He stated that the impacted local government areas were Afijio, Oyo west Oyo and Oyo east local governments notably Keseni village, Ago Oyo and Iseke village.

The meeting was attended by key state officials, including the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperative, Mr. Adeniyi Adebisi; the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade; and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, Police, among others.