Indigenes of Ile-Ife are seeking the intervention of the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola to put an end to the alleged acts of provocation by Modakeke People.
They want the Governor to facilitate the return of displaced Ife land owners and farmers to their respective villages and farms, while they also urged Osun State government to ensure that lawfully appointed Obas and Baales by Ooni of Ife for villages in Ife North Local government areas return to their domains.
The indigenes, under the auspice of Great Ife Movement (GIM) at a press conference held at Enuwa area, Ile-Ife alleged that the Baales, Obas, land owners and farmers were displaced by alleged conducts of the Modakeke peoole.
Highlighting the positions of Ile Ife people, President of Great Ife Movement, Comrade Femi Oyeyinka alleged that such conduct which were sometimes violent and deliberate amounted to an attempt to hijack everything that belonged to Ile-ife, including the whole Ife metropolitan city, an attempt to rewrite history.
Comrade Oyeyinka who urged government and security agencies to intervene before the issue degenerate said all the complaints of Ife people on the various atrocities committed against them were treated with kid glove.
“Enough of war or crisis between Ife and Modakeke. Ife are ready to continue to accommodate, host and live peacefully with Modakeke and other communities in Ife land in line with the statutory law of our land based on justice, fairness and equity”, He said.
As an urgent measure to achieving sustainable peace in the area, the Great Ife Movement’s President called for a “review of the past judicial recommendations and implement those yet to be enforced”.
Reacting to the allegations, spokesperson of Modakeke Progressive Union (MPU), Venerable Debo Babalola, denied any attempt by Modakeke peoole to We encroach on Ife land or forment trouble.
Venerable Babalola said indigenes of Modakeke were for peace and would never disrespect the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
He said some of the issues raised, had been addressed by Ooni during 2021 Modakeke Day and the people heeded Oba Ogunwusi’s advice not to promote conduct that could further leads to disaffection.