Ogun State House of Assembly has waded into the land dispute causing uproar and deep sitted disaffection between some villages in Ijebu-North East and part of Ijebu- East Local Government Area and the military with a view to quickly settle the dispute.
The Assembly has therefore assured the community leaders and people of Apunren community and other affected villages near Erunwon in Ijebu-North East and part of Ijebu- East Local Government Area that immediate steps would be taken to address the indiscriminate military land acquisition creating tension and apprehension amongst residents in the areas.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, gave the assurance, while leading other members of the Assembly on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas, pledging that the State legislature would compile and present its findings to the Governor at the State level as well as engage the Legislative and Executive arms of Government at the Federal level to reach a lasting solution on the matter.
He explained that the land crisis stemmed from the failure to properly gazette and document the earlier review that reduced the portion allocated to the Nigerian Army, while commending the members representing the two affected constituencies, Honourables Oluwaseun Adesanya and Waliu Owode, for their efforts and urging residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding as elected representatives moved to address the matter.
The Speaker also advised all affected communities to formally communicate the House of Assembly, assuring that lawmakers would deliberate on the matter and adopt a resolution to be communicated to the appropriate authorities for necessary action towards achieving a permanent resolution.
On their part, members representing the two constituencies, assured the people of a lasting resolution, the lawmakers encouraged them to remain calm and law abiding as they intensified efforts to resolve the dispute.
In his remarks, State Surveyor-General, Surveyor Oladele Ewulo, stated that his team had conducted an initial assessment of the area and would undertake further investigations and inquiries, noting that the outcome would guide stakeholders toward a peaceful and sustainable resolution.
Addressing the delegation, Kabiyesi of Apunren Kingdom, Oba Jimson Oyelaja, appealed to the State House of Assembly to intervene on the matter, which he noted had lasted nearly 50 years, stressing that Apunren and other affected villages had existed for over 600 years, lamenting recent demolitions, loss of lives, destruction of schools, hospitals, houses as well as property allegedly linked to the enforcement of the disputed acquisition.
The monarch urged his people to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, expressing optimism that the visit of the lawmakers signaled an imminent relief and a lasting solution to the long-standing hardship facing the communities.
In a presentation delivered at the commencement of the meeting, Major General Samson Odunsi (Rtd), explained that the Apunren community was seeking legislative intervention to restore ancestral lands excessively acquired by the military in 1977, noting that, although a reduced portion was earlier agreed upon for military use, a 1987 gazette controversially reinstated the larger expanse, thereby plunging the people into decades of uncertainty.
The retired General further appealed to the State House of Assembly to treat the matter with urgency it required, as the dispute approaches its 50th anniversary, appealing to government to make 2026 a “year of jubilee” for the affected communities.
