By Editor
There was palpable tension and restrained anger on Tuesday by residents of
Irona and the adjoining communities in Ado Ekiti over alledged plan by the Ekiti State Government to forcefully acquire their ancestral land.
The aggrieved residents drawn from Mushin, Isato Igbole, Oja Upona, Isewese and Ijiku clans lamented that if the planned demolition of their houses succeeds, it may signal the complete extinction of their heritage, history and ancestry being preserved for over a century ago as they claimed that the move will render over 200 families homeless in their fatherland.
The depth of their frustration and helplessness was visibly manifested as they paraded not a few aged members of the community before the pressmen during a Town Hall meeting where they made a passionate appeal to the Ekiti State Government to rescind the unpopular decision.
Some of the vulnerable old members of the community who spoke to journalists in an emotion ladden tunes expressed total displeasure at the alleged government’s planned acquisition of their homeland which they claimed had been the sanctuary of communal identify adding that there were some spots used as objects of appeasement to their ancestral deities. They included Alhaji Ismaila ibrahim Olayenikan, 86, Madam Ige Akinwale, 95, Pa Olajide Alake, 86 amongst others.
The aged people were unanimous in their total rejection of any move by the government to render them homeless in the twilight of their years.
Earlier, one of the stakeholders in the campaign Mr. Kunle Oladele in a chat with newsmen shed more lights to the unfortunate saga.
According to him, the community woke up one day to see signposts erected at different corners that their land had been acquired by the government without prior notice with a caveat that residents should keep off.
“We are aware that there’s Land use decree which says the Governor has power over land but there’s a limit that it must be for a compelling public need either for road construction or hospital for the good of the entire community” he said.
On efforts been done by Irona community about their plight, Oladele claimed that they have written letters to both the Ewi and the State Government copied to the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly noting that the community may end up in the court.
He further claimed that government has always denied any planned acquisition of their land but expressed worries that when a resident destroyed one of the signposts, he was arrested and spent days in detention.
He communicated the community requests in a press statement made available to newsmen at the event.
The 12- paragraph communique with the theme: OUR LAND, OUR HERITAGE, OUR FUTURE — LET IT NOT BE TAKEN AWAY addressed the contentious issue thus;
“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Stakeholders, and Fellow Citizens of Ekiti State, both at home and abroad,
‘We gather here today with one voice, one purpose, and one plea — to call upon His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State, to reflect deeply on the ongoing forced and systemic acquisitions of our ancestral lands in Ado Ekiti.
“For over ten decades, families have lived on these lands. These homes are not mere structures; they are the resting places of our ancestors, the repositories of our history, and the heartbeat of our culture. To uproot them is to erase our identity and drive our people into deeper poverty.
“Urban renewal and development are noble goals, but they must never come at the detriment of indigenous communities. Across the world, and particularly in Nigeria, we see examples of coexistence between growing urbanization and the preservation of indigenous communities:
- In Lagos, ancestral neighborhoods in Ikeja, Agege, Bariga, Enu Owa, and Iga Oba remain intact while modern facilities thrive alongside.
- In Ibadan, the historic “brown roof” districts of areas like Beere, Oje, Bode, and Mapo coexist with modern areas such as Bodija and Agodi.
- In Akure, traditional quarters like Arakale, Uro, Ijomu, and Isinkan remain preserved amidst urban expansion.
- In Osogbo and Abeokuta, governments have consistently respected customary ownership, ensuring that development does not erase indigenous heritage.
“Why then should Ado Ekiti, the proud capital of our state, be different? Why should our heritage be sacrificed in the name of development?
“We are not unaware of the provisions of the Land Use Decree of 1978 and the limits of the powers thereby granted to the Governor, as well as the required processes when there is a justified and compelling public need.
“We are not against development. We welcome modernization. But we insist that development must be inclusive, respectful, and protective of the people who have nurtured this land for generations. The State Government’s approach of erecting signs that read “Government Acquired Land – Trespassers Keep Off” on our land without prior notice is, to say the least, despicable and unthinkable under a democratic government.
“Our Appeal Is Simple
We call on His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, to:
- Shelve the current forced acquisition plans.
- Adopt a coexistence model where modern projects rise without erasing ancestral homes.
“We want the Governor to note that the defense of these homes is the first line of protection of the rights of the people you are elected to govern. We trust in the leadership of the Governor to protect our heritage, our history, and our unalienable right to the land of our forefathers.
“Finally, we call on Ekiti State Government to build a future where progress and tradition walk hand in hand. Let us ensure that development uplifts, not impoverishes. Let us keep Ado Ekiti whole. Our land, our heritage, our future — let it not be taken away.Thank you”.
Concerned indigenes, residents, and stakeholders of Ado Ekiti”
Present at the Town Hall meeting are; Chief Areola Tope (Chief Oloro, Chief Adekanmbi Adeyeye, Engr. Dele Oguntuase, Elerebi Idowu Kayode, Chief Tolu Daramola amongst others.
However, efforts to get the reaction of the government through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor proved abortive as his phone was not available as at time of filling this report.
