The Oyo State Government has stepped into the growing conflict between Oyo and Osun States concerning a long-standing boundary issue.
In a move aimed at quelling tensions and avoiding further public squabbles, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, released a statement from Ibadan on Tuesday urging all parties involved to stop making hostile comments.
According to the statement, the state government is calling for restraint and maturity in dealing with the matter. Oyelade noted that public blame and counter-blame will only worsen the situation. He stressed the need for both state governments and their citizens to avoid fueling unnecessary tension through inflammatory public remarks.
Oyelade stated, “The two governments believe that the protracted land dispute is not intractable and traditional institutions should not be a clog in the wheel of peaceful resolution.” He further noted that the continuous exchange of accusations in public is unhelpful and may delay peaceful negotiations.
He added that media platforms often thrive on controversial topics, but that does not mean leaders should feed such platforms with provocative statements that could derail the efforts already being made behind the scenes.
The commissioner made it clear that Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Ademola Adeleke of Osun are working together in collaboration with the National Boundary Commission to settle the dispute peacefully. He said their representatives are already in talks with the commission and that both states are optimistic about reaching a fair resolution soon.
“The governors of the two states are cooperating fully with the National Boundary Commission through their representatives and believe that an amicable solution will be arrived at soon,” Oyelade said.
