The Ekiti State Government has said the lingering chieftaincy and land disputes in Ipole-Iloro, Ekiti West Local Government Area, have been resolved in favour of the contending parties.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, on Thursday, declared government’s position in the tussle between Mr Femi Fayeba and the Olupole of Ipole Iloro, Oba Oladele Babatola, over the Edinmo chieftaincy and ownership of Otin farmland in the town.
While Fayeba claimed that the Edinmo chieftaincy and Otin farmland wholesomely belonged to Fayeba lineage, Oba Babatola argued that the chieftaincy is rotational and the land under contention belongs to the Saba extended family.
After listening to the two factions, who had appeared before the panel twice, Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her Media Assistant, Victor Ogunje, said: “I want to plead with all the factions in this matter to respect our final position, and in my own humble opinion, this matter should be give and take, so that you can all go home laughing.
“Going by the testimony given by your oldest kingmaker, history already had it that the Fayeba family had held the Edinmo chieftaincy title for a long time, and the family also controlled the Otin farmland for a period of over 100 years.
“To resolve this matter, the person already conferred with the chieftaincy should be allowed to continue since you are from the same family but not of the same lineage.
“However, the petitioner, as the head of the Fayeba family, should be allowed to control the Otin farmland in the interest of peace. He can’t lose the two.”
She then said further: “We don’t want anyone to disobey our position on this matter. You know what Governor Biodun Oyebanji stands for when it comes to peace and the security of lives and property.
“We must all join hands with our government to promote peace and good brotherliness in all our communities; that is the only way we can develop as a state and enjoy the dividends of democracy as a people.”
