The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has cautioned the leaders of the ongoing conflict between Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin not to politics with the lives of people.
After launching the 100-member peace committee at the Local Government Service Commission in Osogbo on Monday, the governor issued a warning to anyone attempting to politicize the situation, saying that they would be subject to legal repercussions. Under the direction of his deputy, Kola Adewusi, he urged committee members to carry out their responsibilities fearlessly and fairly.
He said, The administration opposes any attempt to turn the crisis into a political issue. We especially caution those disguising themselves as politically motivated communal struggles to avoid the matter. We shall no longer allow the politicization of our citizens’ life.
The committee’s mandate, which includes two weeks to submit its report, includes investigating the immediate and distant causes of the conflict, identifying, demarcating, and marking the precise borders between the three communities of Ifon, Lobu, and Erin-Osun, and signing a truce in an effort to end the conflict before it starts.
In addition,the committee would also visit the disputed areas and other pertinent areas to enable the committee to determine the areas, make recommendations to the government on permanent boundary delineation, and take appropriate decisions that will enable the government to achieve permanent peace in the areas.”
Co-Chairman Justice Moshood Adeigbe, speaking on behalf of the committee’s chairman, gave the governor his word that the committee will do everything in its power to fulfill its mandate.