Amid rumour making the rounds that the old land dispute rooted in colonial era territorial-claims between Ede and Osogbo communities has been reignited, Ede and Osogbo communities in Osun State have debunked the alleged rift between the two communities over land.
Rising from a meeting of the leadership of the communities consisting of their monarchs, Timi-in-Council and Ataoja-in-Council at the Ataoja’s palace in Osogbo yesterday, the two communities vowed to maintain peace and sustain the cordial relationship that has existed between them for ages.
They, in an attempt to prevent dispute between the communities, resolved to resuscitate an inter-community committee consisting of seven representatives from each community to work towards strengthening the existing peace and addressing areas of differences between them.
Commenting on the issue, the Timi of Edeland, Oba Adesola Lawal (Laminisa I) disclosed that the two communities are closely knitted that they must maintain the peace they inherited from their forefathers.
“We are here today to clear the air concerning allegations against us in Ede on the social media. The allegations are untrue.
“I am very happy with what we have heard today. Osogbo people have expressed their commitment to peace. We are for peace in Ede. The two communities are so closely knitted that we must maintain the peace we inherited from our fathers. The media should help us communicate with the people that Osogbo and Ede are together. We are for peace,” he said.
Also speaking, the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun (Laaroye ll) maintained that the two towns shared historical relationships which no one under any political guise can destroy.
“This meeting between myself, Ataoja, Ataoja-in-Council and Timi of Ede, Timi-in-Council is to calm nerves about any alleged land dispute or rising tension of land dispute,” he said.
He added that since the rumour of the dispute broke out, he and Timi allowed it to remain within the realm of rumour saying that it did not affect their relationship nor the peaceful co-existence of the two towns.
