People of Ile-Ife, in Osun State have again called on the State and Federal Government to deploy an alternative dispute resolution mechanism that will end the age long crisis between the ancient city and Modakeke.
Members of the Great Ife Movement, GIM, who made the call while addressing newsmen at the Oba Okunade Sijuade Memorial Hall, Enuwa Quarters Ile-Ife, Osun State alleged that Modakeke people have continued to intimidate their people and engage in activities that could cause crisis.
Speaking on behalf of the Group, the President, Comrade Olufemi Oyeyinka said it is high time government intervene and restore lasting peace among both communities.
According to him, all the issues complained of in the press conference held last year, in their memorandum and petition to the Osun State Boundary Commission still persist unabated.
Parts of the complaints include “unlawful occupation and seizure of farmlands belonging to Ife by the Modakeke. Forcefully sending Ife farm owners away from their ancestral farmlands. Refusal of Modakeke to pay their tenancy agreements and statutory tributes known as ishakole to their Ife landlords till date. Sending away of Ooni crowned Obas, Baales and Chiefs from their domain, after burning and destroying their palaces, especially in Ife North Local Government”.
The Ife people also complained of “Usurpation of Oonis power and Authority on Chieftaincy matters in Ife land by unlawfully appointing their own Baales, especially in Ife North where the Ooni has already installed Obas and Baales” and the use of the Mass media to convey sectional and provocative messages.
Others include the “blotting out if the word ‘Ile-Ife’ on signposts within Ife Metropolitan City with absolute impunity on daily bases” as done on the signpost of Urban Day Grammar School Ile-Ife located at Mayfair Area of the city.
According to Comrade Olufemi Oyeyinka, the Ife people suspected a conspiracy between the Modakeke people and the Electricity distribution company servicing the area as the bills for some areas within the jurisdiction of Ile-Ife now carry names of Modakeke, including places like Oba Okunade Sijuade Estate on Ondo Road, Lagere and Arubidi.
He maintained that the people of Ile-Ife were peace loving and would continue to live in peace with their Modakeke neighbour, but such must be on the basis of Justice,Equity and fair play.
The people of Modakeke however reacted to all the issue raised, saying that they remain committed to peaceful coexistence with Ile-Ife and would not in anyway infringe on their rights.
President of Modakeke Progressive Union, Professor Peter Olawuni denied all the allegations raised by the Ifes.
Professor Olawuni explained that Modakeke has not renamed anywhere belonging to Ile-Ife, adding that there should not be a misinterpretation between locational address and postal address.
Professor Olawuni said, “Ifes were the ones driving our people from their farms. We have 256 farms where the Ifes have driven away our people”.
He said steps had been taken between the two communities to make peace ,as representatives of both parties has already agreed where and when to meet, hence raising allegations through a press conference is unexpected.