Following some lingering crises between Ondo and Ekiti boundary communities, the government of the two states have met in Akure, the Ondo state capital, to provide a lasting solution to the disputes.
Receiving his Ekiti state counterpart and her team on Thursday, the Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Dr Olayide Adelami, assured the boundary communities of a peaceful resolution by the two states.
According to him, “the two states were together as one before Ekiti was created in 1996 and we still remain sisters. Everyone can attest to the fact that we are from the same source, in terms of culture, language, academic excellence and even food”
Adelami disclosed that Ondo state government is committed to resolving the issues through dialogue and sheer understanding.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa is fully committed to initiatives that will bring peace to the warring communities, and sustain our enduring relationship. To this end, I enjoin the concerned communities to allow peace to reign as we find a way to resolve the issues very soon” the deputy governor assured.
In her remarks, the deputy governor of Ekiti state, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye, thanked Ondo state government for agreeing to host the meeting to kick-start the conflict resolution process.
She congratulated Governor Aiyedatiwa and his deputy for the landslide victory recorded in the 2024 governorship election, saying it is a testament to the governor’s pro-people projects and policies.
Afuye said the meeting became necessary out of concern to nip in the bud issues between the boundary communities of Ekiti and Ondo states. She revealed that technical officers from the two states will meet to come up with modalities for resolving the disputes.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Office of Ekiti state deputy governor, Abayomi Opeyemi, said the disputes began when Ekiti was carved out of the old Ondo state. He noted that despite the pocket of issues, the two states are enjoying cordial relationships.
He assured that officers from the states will meet from time to time until the issues are resolved.
In attendance at the meeting were Surveyor Generals, Secretaries of Boundary Commissions, Permanent Secretaries and other top-government officials from both Ekiti and Ondo states.
