Ondo State Government disclosed that Irokun, Obinehin, Idigbengben and Araromi seaside are communities within the Ilaje Local Government area of the state.
This was in response to a statement by the Ogun state government faulting the installation of traditional rulers in the communities.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ademola-Olateju said the communities have a long history of traditional institutions within the state and are not in dispute between Ondo state and Ogun state as the people living therein are indigenes of Ondo state.
She said the claim that the communities are in dispute before the National Boundary Commission is untrue, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regularly conducts elections in the communities and votes cast are recorded for Ilaje Local Government.
Ademola-Olateju further stated that the landmass occupied by the communities falls within the territory of the state.
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“The recognized traditional institutions in these communities are integral parts of traditional institutions in, and of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state and the traditional rulers are indigenes of Ondo State.
“Ondo state government in the recent White Paper issued by Hon. Justice Ajama Commission avoided consideration of requests for recognition of traditional institutions from communities where there are land disputes and communal conflicting claims, pending the resolution of such disputes.
“It should be noted that the traditional institutions of these communities submitted memoranda and appeared publicly before Ondo state Hon. Justice C.E.T Ajama’s Commission of Enquiry on Chieftaincy matters which was set up by Ondo State as far back as 2015 without any opposition from any quarter, including the Government of Ogun State.
“Surprisingly, the Government of Ogun state is trying to claim ownership after the Ondo State Government has accepted the recommendation of the said Commission.”
The Commissioner urged Ogun State to check their records properly on issues raised in their Press statement, saying it had been on record that the communities have been in a festive mood since the announcement by the state government to recognize their traditional institutions.
According to her, “There is no threat to peace in these communities. We urge our people to continue to live harmoniously amongst themselves for the development of our dear sunshine state.”
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