The above-named person, whose father is from Imeko and mother from Moriwi-Oke-Agbede, has been breaching public peace through his statements, which are likely to incite communal clashes. Mr. Kayode Oladele’s status as the former Chief of Staff to EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde, former Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, and current Member of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) is enough to mislead the public. The people of Imeko are leveraging his title to spread falsehoods and foster feelings of alienation among other communal groups.
This notice aims to address the derogatory and blasphemous publications by Mr. Oladele regarding the Iwoye-Ketu and Imeko land dispute. It is crucial to state that these publications do not represent the true position of the matter and are purely fabricated.
We hereby notify the necessary authorities to call Mr. Oladele to order, as his actions are likely to provoke communal clashes. We must avoid a situation akin to the Modakeke and Ile-Ife conflicts. We have also consulted a legal practitioner regarding his actions, and soon, the law will take its course. We do this with the love of our dear nation.
As a well-organized community, Iwoye-Ketu indigenes are known for being peace-loving people. This has been evident in the past and continues today as we host many other ethnic groups from Nigeria and even foreign nationals, with whom we have coexisted peacefully for years. The Federal, State, and Local Governments can attest to our respect for the rule of law. We have contacted our lawyers and are most obliged.
To clarify, Imeko town does not have a history as a Yoruba town in precolonial Nigeria. The place now known as Imeko was initially a mere farm settlement by a farmer from Kétou, in today’s Benin Republic. This man would return home every day until he decided to build a hut there for convenience. Others gradually joined him, and the settlement expanded so aggressively that the Alaketou of Ketou felt the need to install a Baale (village head) in the area. After the Europeans’ incursion, Imeko’s status changed, and the Baale sought to be made a King, a request Alaketou declined. Eventually, he took the crown in revolt, as the area now fell under Niger’s jurisdiction, far from Alaketou’s influence. To this day, while the Onimeko may wear a crown in Nigeria, he remains a traditional Chief in Kétou’s traditional history *(See “The Story of Ketu” by E.G. Parrinder, pages 40-42).*
Conversely, Iwoye-Ketu, an agrarian community at the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic, traces its crown back to Ile-Ife. Iwoye-Ketu has played crucial roles in Yoruba history, being the origin of the first two Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land. In today’s Imeko/Afon Local Government, The Ooye of Iwoye, the title of the Iwoye stool, holds traditional authority over other communities like Oke-Agbede, Wasinmi Okuta, and Moriwi (until recently, when a monarch was installed over Moriwi by His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun), and Osiiri village, which is just about three minutes drive to Alaketu High School in Imeko. Iwoye-Ketu still holds traditional authority in many other villages and towns in both Nigeria and Benin Republic.
Historically, many areas in present-day Imeko fall under the traditional authority of Ooye. It is unthinkable that a mere Chief would assert authority over a historic town like Iwoye simply because it is the seat of government.
We hope this statement sets the record straight and highlights the truth of the matter.
Sincerely,
Concerned progressives youth-iwoye
