ADO-EKITI — Monday
A peaceful protest grounded parts of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Monday as indigenes and residents of Irona Community appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to stop the alleged forced acquisition of their ancestral lands by the state government.
The protesters, drawn from six streets — Mushin, Isato, Igbole, Oja-Upona, Isewewe and Ijiku— said the planned acquisition and possible demolition could displace over 200 families and destroy a settlement that has existed for more than a century.‘
Our Land, Our Heritage’Carrying placards with inscriptions such as _“Our Land, Our Heritage, Our Future: Let It Not Be Taken Away,”_ the residents urged the governor to adopt a coexistence model that allows urban development without destroying ancestral homes.Addressing journalists, the Oloro of Mushin, Chief Tope Areola, said residents woke up one morning to find government signboards erected at strategic points in the community, warning members of the public to keep off because the land had been acquired.
He faulted the process, saying it was done without prior consultation or adequate notice.“This is a community that has existed for over 10 decades. In fact, I can’t tell when it started because I grew up here. Our house over there was built in 1950. There are other houses that have been here before 1950,” he said.“We’re living as a community.
We have a bond. We are one. Urban renewal and development are noble goals, but they must never come at the detriment of indigenous communities.”Community Leaders Speak Another community leader, Kunle Oladele, argued that urbanization does not have to mean demolition. He cited Lagos, Ibadan, Akure, Osogbo and Abeokuta as examples where traditional neighborhoods coexist with modern infrastructure.
Oladele acknowledged the provisions of the Land Use Act of 1978 and the powers of governors over land, but said such powers must be exercised according to law and for compelling public purposes.
“The government can legitimately acquire land where there is a clearly defined public need, such as roads, hospitals or other projects serving the wider population. But residents should be adequately informed and treated fairly,” he said.
He disclosed that letters had been written to the state government, the *Ekiti State House of Assembly and other stakeholders seeking dialogue. He alleged that despite government representatives denying any plan to take over the community, the signboards remained.“So what is the government telling you that it needs this place for? They are saying that there is nothing like that, that they are not taking our land.
But we saw the signposts. We have no idea what is there.“When you send those people away, where will they go to? With one letter, one million naira, where will they go to?”*Appeal To Governor*The community appealed to Governor Oyebanji to intervene and ensure development is inclusive.“
We are not against development. We welcome modernization. But we insist that development must be inclusive, respectful, and protective of the people who have nurtured this land for generations.“
We want the Governor to note that the defence of these homes is the first line of protection of the rights of the people you are elected to govern.“
Let us ensure that development uplifts, not impoverishes. Let us keep Ado-Ekiti whole. Our land, our heritage, our future – let it not be taken away,” one of the representatives said.As of press time, the Ekiti State Government had not issued an official response to the protest.
