Program Analyst
February 4, 2025
Esa Oke/Ido Ayegunle: Governor Adeleke Pays Condolence Visit, Promises Panel of Inquiry
NEWS RELEASE
OSOGBO – 04/02/2025 – Osunstate.gov.ng
Osun state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has paid a condolence visit to Ido Ayegunle and Esa Oke following a breakdown of law and order that led to wanton destruction of properties.
The Governor expressed sadness by the development and promised that the state government would investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crisis through a Panel of Enquiry.
He repeated that anybody found culpable of either sponsoring the mayhem or participating in the destruction of lives and attacks on the people will be brought to book.
“Let me tell you, I’m not happy at the development because there cannot be development in any community where there are violent attacks on lives and property. Be rest assured that the state government is going to investigate the matter and we will be diligent about it. I want to assure you that no matter how highly placed, anybody found to be responsible for the crisis will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” the Governor assured.
Earlier, the Governor led Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye and heads of security agencies in the state including the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Nigeria Police, NSCDC, Amotekun and Vigilante groups among others to visit Ido Ayegunle to inspect scenes of the violence.
Addressing the People of Ido Ayegunle, Governor Adeleke assured them that the state government will do everything possible to guarantee their safety and protection.
The Governor also visited Esa Oke where he inspected the king’s Toyota Highlander SUV and some parts of the palace of Owamiran of Esa Oke that were burnt by alleged arsonists.
Addressing the people of Esa Oke in the Esa Oke town hall, Governor Adeleke told them that there can only be development in an atmosphere of peace, saying there is need for the people to shun any act that is capable of breaching peace and tranquility in their domain.
He reminded them that Osun State College of Technology located in the town is a mainstay of their economy, warning that parents may begin to withdraw their children amidst fear of insecurity.
He promised to look into the petition submitted by the Esa Oke town promising that the state government is committed to ensuring that peace returns to the warring communities.
Senator Adeleke also used the occasion to appreciate law enforcement agencies for their prompt response to the crisis and promised that the government will set up a panel of enquiry that will investigate their request on the Chieftaincy status of Ido Ayegunle.
In their remarks, people of Ido Ayegunle told the Governor and his entourage that people of Esa Oke have consistently attacked them and often prevented them from harvesting their farm products.
They appealed to the Governor to come to their aid and prevent the people of Esa Oke from further attacking them on their land.
In Esa Oke, the Owamiran of Esa Oke, Ọba Adeyemi Adediran commended Governor Adeleke for his prompt response saying that some hoodlums stormed the palace and set his palace and properties ablaze.
He told the Governor and his subjects that he never collected a penny from anybody as it is being insinuated in some quarters.
Also addressing the Governor, the Chairman of the Esa Oke Central Union, Otunba Bamigboye Arẹmu appealed to Governor Adeleke to help them retrieve their land from the settlers who are now claiming ownership of the land that rightfully belong to Esa Oke.
He said the people of Esa Oke are peace-loving and ready to embrace peace but insisted that Ayegunle is part and parcel of Esa Oke under Owaminran of Esa Oke.
They called on the Governor to kindly order the release of some of their youths that were allegedly arrested in connection to the crisis.
Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor
