Tension is still very high in Esa Oke as residents continue to reject the appointment of Prince Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ajegunle.
The community has been insisting that Ajayi is not an indigene and should not be made their traditional ruler.
In response to the crisis, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke said he will set up a panel to investigate the violence that has engulfed the town.
The unrest which has turned deadly has left residents afraid and seeking answers and justice.
The Esa-Oke Central Union has accused armed men in police uniform of storming the town, killing four residents and injuring many others.
The union said the violence was triggered by the imposition of a non-indigene as a traditional ruler over a community in Esa Oke. They said such an appointment is against their custom and threatens their identity.
But the Osun State Police Command has denied using live ammunition on protesters.
The police said seven of their men were injured when they were ambushed by unknown attackers while they were trying to bring the situation under control.
The conflicting accounts have deepened the crisis and many residents are unsure of who to believe.
Adeleke Speaks
At a peace meeting in Esa Oke, Adeleke said he would get to the root of the crisis.
He assured residents that justice would be served and said he deliberately did not impose a curfew instead opted for dialogue to restore peace.
On the destruction caused by the violence, Adeleke condemned the killings and destruction, asking what anyone would gain from the chaos.
“Disagreement will always arise, but violence, burning of houses and taking of lives — what does that achieve?” he asked.
He also dismissed the claim that indigenes of Esa Oke set the palace ablaze, saying those who did it were only against the progress of the community.
Justice and Peace
Governor Adeleke pledged to bring the perpetrators of the violence to book, no matter their status or connections. He urged those with grievances to present their petitions for proper consideration instead of taking to the streets.
“There is no need for violence. If you are not happy, write your petition and submit. I will act on it. I didn’t impose curfew because I believe we can resolve this through dialogue,” Adeleke told the people.
He also cut short his other engagements to come and assess the situation in Esa Oke, showing his commitment to peace and development in the town. A panel of inquiry will be set up to get to the root of the crisis.
Leaders Demand Reversal
Many of the residents agreed with Yinusa Bamigboye, Chairman of Esa-Oke Central Union, that Ajayi’s appointment was a tradition breach and could destabilize the community.
He said Ajayi, being a native of Ilesa in Ijesa South Traditional Council, has no ancestral link to the land or the people of Esa Oke.
“This appointment disregards the authority of His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyemi Akanbi Adediran, the Owamiran of Esa Oke. It disrupts the town’s history and threatens our peace and unity,” Bamigboye said.
He asked the government to reverse the appointment, saying failure to do so will further erode people’s trust in government.
“We want the government to cancel the white paper that named Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as Olojudo of Ido Ajegunle. This will rebuild government’s image and prevent further unrest,” he added.
He also asked for the immediate release of the youths arrested during the crisis, saying the arrests were indiscriminate and didn’t target those who really caused the destruction.
Now, all eyes are on the government and the panel of inquiry to see if justice will be served and peace restored to the community.
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