The Ekiti State Government has resolved the festering land dispute between the Elepe of Epe Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe Family, warning against brazen distortion of customs and tradition by the citizens hiding under the facade of modernisation.
By this resolution, the state government ordered all the three Ruling Houses in the community to release to Oba Adesoye, resources like palm trees at “Oko Oba Farmland” to administer, in consonance with the tradition and customs of the town.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the order in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, while resolving the land tussle between the royal father and the Atolagbe Family.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by her Special Assistant( Media), Victor Ogunje.
Based on the contention of Oba Adesoye that the age long tradition accorded him unfettered latitude to be custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, Mrs Afuye said the monarch should be given such right since there were enough evidence to substantiate the fact that such practice existed.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other Princes and Princesses from all the three Ruling Houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
In his response, Oba Adesoye appreciated the government’s directive and promised to work hard to initiate a peace building process to unite the throne with the subjects for accelerated development of Epe community.
Speaking on behalf of the Atolagbe Family, Dr Yemi Agbeleoba said the royal family was not opposed to the idea of surrendering Oko Oba land to the monarch, but insisted that all the three Ruling Houses must comply for such arrangement to be effective and conform to the age long practice.
Agbekeoba thanked the government for the directive, saying it will help in resolving the lingering crisis.