NEWS
Osun Opens Up On Esa Oke/Ido Ayegunle Communal Crisis
The Osun State Government (OSG) has released gazette and official memos to justify the recent appointment of Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle, vowing to prosecute those behind arson and killings of Monday, February 3rd, 2025.
Among those documents released to the public are the official gazette of the state government dated 2005 which affirmed the Owa Obokun of Ijesha land, not Owaminran of Esa Oke as the prescribed authority over Ido Ayegunle.
Two other documents were the elevation of the Oba Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle to part two in 2014 which was conveyed to the late Olojudo by both the local government and the palace of Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland.
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The statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi posited that the Adeleke administration has only followed due process as evidenced by legal and administrative documents existing before the advent of the new administration.
According to the statement, the administration followed the law and due process at its State Executive Council meeting which approved the new Olojudo.
Further details provided by the Commissioner are as follows:
“On July 16 1995, a communal clash occurred between Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle which led to the loss of a life as well as destruction of property when one Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi was appointed as Baale of Ido Ayegunle by the then Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.
“The State Government, later in July 1998 set up a One Man Enquiry into the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle Chieftaincy to investigate areas/settlements traditionally associated with Esa-Oke and determine whether Ido Ayegunle is among and to determine who the Prescribed Authority is between the Owamiran of Esa-Oke and Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.
“The enquiry found that despite the fact that Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle are in the same Local Government and are contiguous, they have neither traditional or customary relationship and concluded that the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland should continue to be the Prescribed Authority to the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle Chieftaincy.
“This was affirmed by the then State Executive Council on 31st March, 2005 which approved that the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland should continue to be the Prescribed Authority over Ido Ayegunle. The then Governor signed the legal order on 28th November, 2005.
“The Baale appointed by the Owa Obokun in 1995, Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi was in 2014 recommended for elevation by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland and subsequently, this recommendation was approved by the then State Executive Council in July 2014 and the stool of Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle was elevated to Part II Recognized Status with the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland as the Consenting Authority.
“Oba Samuel Adekanmi Ajayi joined his ancestors in October 2021 and efforts to fill the stool commenced after the completion of his burial rites. Three candidates contested the vacant stool and Prince Ajayi Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi emerged as the Olojudo-elect having unanimously secured six (6) votes from the Kingmakers of Ido Ayegunle.
“This selection was affirmed by the meeting of the State Executive Council held on Wednesday 29th January, 2025 which approved the appointment of Oba Ajayi Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle”, the statement concluded.
The entire 10 communities of the old Ohaozara Local Government Area, known as Ohanivo, of Ebonyi State have been reverberating with joy, because their illustrious son, the Minister of Works, HE Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi emerged Silverbird’s Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year.
Biztellers reports that Ohanivo is made up of three LGAs, including, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo, while the 10 autonomous communities are Uburu, Okposi, Aka Eze, Ishiagu, Isu, Onicha, Ugwulangwu, Ukawu, Abaomege, and Oshiri.
Feelers from the organisers of the glamourous awards, Silverbird Group, assure that plans have been fine-tuned for the annual event, billed for the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday.
There are indications that a strong team of community leaders including Chief Kenneth Eze, Uche Umezurike, Okoro Enekwachi, Francis Ekwe, Emma Nwaze, among others would be on ground to cheer the distinguished minister of works as he receives his well-deserved award.
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In a related development, the Member, House of Representatives, representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Kama Nkemkanma, has sent his congratulatory message to Sen Umahi.
Hon Nkemkanma’s message reads, “It is with deep pleasure that I convey the profound felicitations of my family and good people of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency to our dear leader and achiever, His Excellency, Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE, GGCEHF, Honourable Minister of Works on his emergence as the Silverbird Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year. Whom the cap fits, let him wear.
“Your Excellency, the initiative of this administration to construct the Renewed Hope four (4) legacy projects and the will power to continue the funding and construction of the inherited on-going projects across the six (6) Geo-political Zones are eloquent testimonies of the commitment of Mr President in unlocking the potentials of every segment of our country and building a regenerative economy for sustainable future. We are proud that you have unmitigated signature in this memory. May God continue to give you the flourishing grace and enablement to always be on top in your endeavours.
“Please accept the assurances of the prayers, solidarity, and esteemed regards of my constituents, always. Once more congratulations.”
The Kano State Government has addressed widespread misinterpretations surrounding the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the ongoing emirship dispute, urging the public to rely on accurate legal information.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Governor Abba Yusuf’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, clarified the ruling and the government’s position.
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Speaking at a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kano, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, explained that the Court of Appeal’s verdict, delivered on January 10, 2025, upheld the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, effectively overturning the previous judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano.
However, Dederi noted that Alhaji Aminu Dan’agundi, who was dissatisfied with the ruling, has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.
He further stressed that the Appeal Court’s judgment remains binding until the Supreme Court rules otherwise.
Addressing concerns over the stay of execution recently granted by the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General described it as a standard legal procedure intended to maintain the status quo pending the Supreme Court’s final decision.
“The Kano State Government urges the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid any form of provocation,” the statement read.
The government has also directed its legal team to thoroughly review the proceedings and determine the next steps in accordance with the law.
On behalf of the governor, Dederi expressed appreciation to the people of Kano for their patience, understanding, and continuous prayers for peace and progress in the state and the nation.
The emirship dispute has been a topic of intense debate in Kano, with various legal and political implications.
Tensions are rising in Rivers State as the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, threatening to halt oil production in response to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
In a statement signed by its president, Bene Youkore Mamamu, and made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday, the group listed three key demands: the restoration of Rivers State’s statutory revenue allocation, an end to alleged impeachment moves against Governor Similaye Fubara, and a public retraction of reported anti-Ijaw remarks attributed to former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
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The youth group warned of dire economic consequences if their demands were ignored.
“We are ready to shock the world in seven days. The oil that fuels this nation flows from our land, the fourth largest and most populated ethnic group in Nigeria. We will not allow Wike, who we suspect is being used by the Presidency, to sabotage our region and undermine Ijaw history,” the statement read.
The NDYC accused Wike of attempting to manipulate the political landscape of Rivers State and marginalize the Ijaw ethnic group, citing his reported comments describing the Ijaws as a “minority within a minority.”
The group labeled the remarks as “provocative, inflammatory, and a declaration of economic and political war.”
Further criticizing the Federal Government, the NDYC alleged that President Tinubu’s administration was enabling Wike’s interference in Rivers politics.
“We are angry that Tinubu’s government has empowered Wike and the Judiciary to undermine Ijaws and the Niger Delta region, with regular threats to impeach Governor Fubara, seize the state’s allocation, insult late Pa Edwin Clark, and rewrite the history of the Ijaw nation,” the letter continued.
With the deadline fast approaching, the NDYC has called on its members to prepare for action, warning that oil production across the region could be disrupted if their demands are not met.
The potential shutdown poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy, given that the Niger Delta remains the country’s primary source of crude oil revenue. A disruption could exacerbate economic challenges, including foreign exchange shortages and rising inflation.
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