A silent war is brewing between the duo of Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor and Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State Governor over the installation of traditional rulers in four communities.
Akeredolu, through the Attorney-General of Ondo State and Commissioner of Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, had approved the installation of four traditional rulers in Irokun, Obinehin, Idigbengben and Araromi seaside communities. However, Abiodun was not pleased with the development as he claims the communities belong to Ogun State and not Ondo State as stated by Akeredolu’s administration.
According to Abiodun, the four communities are recognised by law as part of Ogun State. The documents to prove that dat e back to the colonial era and several Federal Government agencies can attest to the fact that those areas belong to Ogun State Government.
However, Akeredolu also insisted that the four communities which Abiodun is laying claims on have been part of Ondo State from time immemorial as some of the communities are part of the royal dynasty of Maporure of Aheri-land in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State and they are not even border communities. The ownership tussle started after Akeredolu declared Araromi seaside a tourism zone in 2022. He flagged off the construction of a road to link Akodo community in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area in Lagos State. The Governor partnered with La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort boss, Wanle Akinboboye to turn the area to a tourism haven. The huge revenue to be generated by the tourism plan caused an ownership tussle between the two states as they have both been laying claims on the four communities.
