The Olojudo of Ido-Osun Alayemore, Oba Olayinka Oyetunde Ishola Jokotola has raised serious concerns over alleged encroachment on government land acquired for airport purposes in Ido-Osun, Osun State.
The airport land, which was acquired in 1935, was recently converted to Aviation City.
A statement by Prince Okunoye Adesoji, the Director of Media and Communication at the Palace of Olojudo, the monarch raised the matter during his courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, in Abuja.
Oba Jokotola presented the concerns and yearnings of the people of Ido-Osun regarding the disputed land and the activities of individuals allegedly laying claims to portions of the government acquisition.
According to Olojudo, “the land in question forms part of an acquisition made for aviation-related government purposes. The Palace is therefore concerned about alleged attempts by private interests to encroach upon, lay claims to, or otherwise interfere with land that has historically been identified as part of government aviation acquisition”, Olojudo said.
He added that he is particularly concerned about allegations that some individuals involved in the dispute have resorted to the use of government agencies and security structures to intimidate members of the Ido-Osun community and create the impression that the traditional institution is attempting to take over their ancestral property.
The monarch described such a narrative as unfortunate and capable of unnecessarily inflaming tensions between the community, the traditional institution and government authorities.
The monarch maintained that where there is a genuine dispute over ownership, acquisition or boundaries, the appropriate course is to subject the matter to documentary verification, competent government authorities and due process of law—not intimidation, threats or the use of security agencies to create fear within a peaceful community.
“The Palace has no interest in taking anybody’s legitimate property. Our concern is the protection of the interests of Ido-Osun, the preservation of government property and the maintenance of peace. If anyone has a legitimate claim, let the documents speak and let the appropriate authorities determine the matter. Nobody should resort to intimidation or threats against the monarch or our peaceful community,” Oba Jokotola said.
The Alayemore also questioned the basis upon which persons who are not indigenous to Ido-Osun could make contentious claims over land within the community and, more troublingly, allegedly resort to threats against the traditional institution and the people of Ido-Osun. The Palace emphasises that this observation is not intended to prejudice anyone’s lawful rights, but to call for clarity, proper documentation and respect for constituted traditional and governmental authorities.
The monarch therefore called on the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, to urgently intervene and ensure that the status of the government aviation acquisition is properly established and protected.
He further appealed to the relevant government agencies and security authorities to exercise restraint, neutrality and professionalism, and to ensure that no individual or group uses public institutions to intimidate the people or escalate a land matter that can and should be resolved through lawful processes.
The Alayemore equally called on all those he described ask mischief makers to desist from actions, statements and activities capable of misleading government authorities, threatening the peace of Ido-Osun or unnecessarily dragging the traditional institution into controversy.
Responding, Keyamo appreciated the Alayemore for bringing the concerns to his attention. The Minister noted that the proposed aviation project at Ido-Osun has the attention of the Federal Government and stated that provision for the project is already captured in the Federal Government’s budget.
He acknowledged the significance of protecting the land earmarked for the aviation development and assured the monarch that the issues raised would receive the appropriate attention. The Minister further stressed the importance of ensuring that government projects and acquisitions are protected in accordance with the law and due process.