By Sunday Adeola Kolawole
Let me start by reminding the young ones and even some elderly who, for selfish reasons, are fond of distorting the course of history thereby misguiding their children and others who are uninformed; that ORIIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT was NOT created out of OGBOMOSO Local Government but out of the old OYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT in 1989 by General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida . In that year, Oyo Local Government was split into three. These were: OYO, AFIJIO and ORIIRE Local Government Areas. It is therefore erroneous misleading for any right thinking person to say that Oriire Local Government was created out of Ogbomoso Local Government.
Let me also say and categorically too for those who care to be reminded of history that Soun of Ogbomoso was far-far inferior to the Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile. A number of History Literature including that of Rev. Johnson and even that of Professor J.T. Ayorinde (Oyinbo dudu) -an Ogbomoso man- emphasized this fact. Ayorinde also clarified the supremacy of Olugbon over the Soun. It is modern day civilization and the politicization and bastardization of traditional institution that made Colonel David Jemibewon to accept to make the Soun of Ogbomoso a crowned Oba in 1976. Prior to 1976, Soun of Ogbomoso was severally referred to as the Baale of Ogbomoso, whereas the Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile had been attending the house of Chiefs as a beaded Crowned Oba as far back as 1961. In recent times, the clarification was also made by Iku-Baba-Yeye, Alase Ekeji, Orisa-Alaafin of Oyo in the House of Chiefs during the tenure of Colonel Hammed Usman as the Military Administrator of Oyo State. At the sitting of the House, Alaafin was also supported by the Olugbon and the late Onikoyi-Oba Bello Adewole Ayinla- Aadesite II.
Politics of Orire
As you will later see in the tables bellow, Ikoyi-Ile where I come from had suffered and is still suffering from political and economical deprivation from past governments in Oyo State. Our case is similar to that of the Niger Delta. Before our very eyes, we have witnessed gross injustice as the dividends of democracy and the material benefits of the local council system have deliberately been kept away from our reach by the sheer dominance of the Ogbomosos who came to farm in our area. This is made possible with the support and deliberate connivance of prominent personalities and politicians of Ogbomoso. It looks explainable on the surface but it is actually a wicked plot to continue to oppress us and deny us the benefit of government.
While our consolation as a people is in the fact that God has not created a situation He cannot handle, I also think it is proper for the records that the Governor of Oyo State be informed of this
inequity and injustice. I pray that God Almighty will grant the Government of Oyo State the wisdom and courage to handle this sensitive and volatile issue with tact, sincerity and impartiality.
This issue is far beyond party politics. It is in the interest of my community, Ikoyi-Ile and our posterity at large. It is particularly a cautionary note for all of us in the business of political leadership and governance, that the fear of God is critical in our relationships with men and communities.
Issues and Facts
Let me briefly educate the readers on the ethnic configuration of Oriire LGA.
- Oriire LGA is quad-ethnic in composition. By this, I mean we have four ethnic groups domicile within the ten wards of this local council area namely: the Ikoyis, the Ogbomosos, the Ilorins and the Oyos. While Ikoyis, Ilorins and Oyos are historically related, the Ogbomosos are culturally strangers.
- The struggle that led to the creation of Oriire LGA from the former Oyo Local Government in 1989 was championed principally by the late Oba Bello Ayinla Adesite II, elders, elites and youths of Ikoyi-Ile community. The leadership efforts of the late Chief Asamu of Oyo and the late Prof. Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa, a former Minister of Education and Asiwaju of Ikoyi-Ile, were instrumental to the creation of Oriire Local Government.
- The citing of the headquarters of the council at Ikoyi-Ile was not by accident. It was in recognition of the role played by the entire community in the agitation for the creation of the council and also on
historical merit, given the antecedence of Ikoyi-Ile as the provincial capital of Ekun Osi province of the old Oyo Empire (See Johnson, 1926)
- Of all the groups in Oriire LGA, with due respect to them, it is only those of us from Ikoyi-Ile (IKOYIS’) that do not have a second home. We are not settlers or migrants in this area. We have no other home or land other than this present location. The Ilorins within the precincts of Oriire LGA can still draw benefits and claim to be indigenes of any of the towns in Kwara State. The Ogbomosos can (and often do) claim rights and derive benefits from Ogbomoso North, South, Surulere or Ogo-Oluwa LGAs. The Oyos, by virtue of proximity can also lay claim to indigeneship of Atiba, Oyo West or Oyo East LGAs. That Ikoyi-Ile has, and is still suffering seriously from political annihilation is an understatement. This trend has been on for some time now and in the recent past generated tremendous political turmoil.
Tabular Analysis of The Ethno-Political Distribution of Substantive Elective and Non-Elective Offices in Oriire LGA, Oyo State From 1989-2015
Ethnic Groups
- Ikoyis: This group comprises all indigenes of Ikoyi-Ile spread across Oriire LGA.
- Ilorins: This group comprises of indigent settlers historically affiliated to the Ikoyis.
- Ogbomosos: This group comprises of indigent trans-generational settlers of Ogbomoso origin.
- Oyos: This group comprises of indigent settlers traditionally related to Ikoyis.
Elective and Non-Elective Offices
- LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMANSHIP
No Name Town Ward Geo –Ethnic Zone Tenure Party
- Adeagbo Ife 1989 C/Servant
- Olusola Alabi Ikoyi 1989-1991 NRC
- Ayanteebo Ogbomosoo 1992-1993 C/Servant
- Gani Salami Ogbomoso ANPP?
- Sheu Adio ZERO
- Ganiyu Ojolowo 1996-1998
- Olawoore Idere N.A. Idere 1998-1999 C/Servant
- Ademola Alalade Alaropo 9 Ogbomoso 1999 – 2002 PDP
- Hammed Hassan Elerukanfila 4 Ilorin 2002 – 2003 AD
- Ezekiel Oyedepo Abule Osun 2 Ogbomoso 2003 – 2004 PDP
- Ezekiel Oyedepo Abule Osun 2 Ogbomoso 2004 – 2007 PDP
- Ganiyu Laaro Ipekun 3 Ilorin 2007 PDP
- Amole Adeogun Adeogun 7 Ogbomoso 2007 PDP
- Ezekiel Oyedepo Abule Osun 2 Ogbomoso 2007 – 2010 PDP
- Ahmed Babatunde Ikoyi-Ile 1 Ikoyi 2010 – 2011 PDP
- Jacob Bamigboye Lapelu 10 Ogbomoso 2011 – 2014 ACN/APC
- Adekunle Bankole Ajinapa 3 Ogbomoso 2014 – 2014 APC
- Jacob Bamigboye Lapelu 10 Ogbomoso 2014 – Date APC
- STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY MEMBERS
No Name Town Ward Geo – Ethnic Zone Tenure Party
- Olagunju Ojo Ahoro Dada 8 Ogbomoso 1999-2003 AD
- Idowu Akanbi Asaani 7 Ogbomoso 2003 – 2011 PDP
- Ezekiel Oyedepo Abule Osun 2 Ogbomoso 2011 – 2015 PDP
- FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBERS
No Name LGA Geo – Ethnic Zone Tenure Party
- Temilola Adibi Ogbomoso North Ogbomoso 1999 – 2003 AD
- Abdulfatai Buhari Ogbomoso South Ogbomoso 2003 – 2007 PDP
- Mulikat Adeola Akande Ogbomoso North Ogbomoso 2007 – 2011 PDP
- Mulikat Adeola Akande Ogbomoso North Ogbomoso 2011 – 2015 PDP
- COMMISSIONERS
No Name Town Ward Geo – Ethnic Zone Tenure Party
- Adebayo Bankole Ajinapa ? Ogbomoso 1993 SDP
- Ademola Alalade Alaropo 9 Ogbomoso 2003 – 2006 PDP
- Adebayo Bankole Ajinapa 3 Ogbomoso 2006 PDP
- Ademola Alalade Alaropo 9 Ogbomoso 2006 – 2007 PDP
- Adebayo Bankole Ajinapa 3 Ogbomoso 2007 – 2010 PDP
No doubt, the analysis presented above has made it abundantly clear that Oriire Local Government Area has never been and is still not part of Ogbomoso Local government and that there has been an unfair dominance of Ogbomosos over the other ethnic groups in the local government area.
It is my hope that every reader that has not known the truth has known it now. I therefore urge anyone that matters to intervene politically to break this unnecessary cycle of self centeredness.
*Prince Kolawole (MMAN,MNIM,MNIMC) writes from Ikoyi-Ile, Oriire Local Government
Hello sir , My names are Anthony Akande I live in Lagos. I only know Ogbomoso as my town of origin . But history has that I am one of the 5th generation from my ancestors that migrated from PAKOYI
in OYO TOWN to settle down in the present site of Isale Affon, in Ogbomoso ,where we claim to be our origin now .
My attention was drawn to your publication when I searched for AJINAPA on Google and I was shocked is see AJINAPA just about 15 kilometer to Ogbomsos, along Ogbomoso – Ilorin about 10 minutes to Ogbomoso and more 1 and hour journey to Oyo , been ascribed as part of Oyo.
After reading your article i understood your plight and I sympathize with you .
But there are things I like and want you to take note , I am not a politician and will never be one , I just write and in
responds to you as a your fellow brother a ‘YORUBA’ person not as an ‘OGBOMOSO ‘.
I will like you to look at things from this angle, that we all of OYO dialect and look at it also on the basis of ODU’A and to be more of YORUBA than, of IKOYI – ILE , OYO , ILORIN or OGBOMOSO.
The way you wrote and condemned the Ogbomoso’s and their KING is un- called for and un -Yoruba. The Ogbomoso is closer to IKOYI – ILE that Ilorin yet you preferred the Ilorins than the Ogbomoso’s. You have forgotten what Ogbomoso stands for in the history of OYO empire to REPEL any norther / external aggression and to protect ALAFIN (OYO town ) and its immediate environs which includes IKOYI – ILE ,from Fulani JIHADIST ( BOKO HARM at that time )
I don’t want to judge you by saying that you are grieved over the progress of the Ogbomoso’s ,
Now ,concerning the analysis on political as shown in your article . The seat of all the office went to the Ogbomoso as shown , what this implies is that , the ORI – IRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT is OGBOMOSO
why ? because majority carries the vote , that majority of the people residing in ORI – IRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT are of OBGOMOSO stock . I had earlier said we all the same YORUBA and more so of OYO dialect. From Ogbomoso to Ikoyi – ile is less than an hour , why are we segregating things.
Thanks And Regards.