AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Tension gripped Ikoyi-Ile, the headquarters of Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Tuesday as a planned town hall meeting by the Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye turned violent.
The unrest reportedly began when an advance team transporting chairs, tables, and canopies for the event was attacked by aggrieved youths in the community.
Since his ascension on December 19, 2023, Oba Olaoye has been hosting town hall meetings across the Ogbomoso zone to outline his 25-year development agenda. Similar engagements have already been held in Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Surulere, and Ogo-Oluwa local government areas.
However, resistance emerged as the initiative reached Orire LGA. Some elders in Ikoyi-Ile, who spoke anonymously, urged the monarch to postpone the visit pending the installation of an Onikoyi, stressing that only a crowned Oba can formally receive another Oba—echoing the Yoruba adage, “Oba ni i gba Oba ni alejo.”
The situation was further complicated by divergent views among traditional leaders in the area. While some Baales openly supported the visit, others rejected claims that Orire falls under the Soun’s traditional authority, describing such assertions as unacceptable.
Sources disclosed that community leaders had earlier petitioned security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, as well as the state government, to avert a potential breakdown of law and order.
Despite the concerns, preparations for the meeting continued. Youths in Ikoyi-Ile reportedly blocked the Ogbomoso Road leading into the town, turning back vehicles conveying event materials.
The situation escalated when suspected hoodlums allegedly attempted to force their way into the community.
Eyewitnesses claimed that gunshots were fired during the confrontation, with some residents reportedly responding. Several persons were said to have sustained injuries, while an unconfirmed report indicated that one person may have been killed.
Following the outbreak of violence, Oba Olaoye cancelled the visit.
In a viral video message, the monarch said the decision was taken in the interest of peace.
“We intended to meet with residents on development issues, nothing more. But some individuals introduced violent elements to disrupt the process. As a peace-loving Oba, we decided to shelve the visit; not out of cowardice, but to prevent bloodshed,” he said.
He added that although his supporters were large in number, he deliberately avoided a show of force that could escalate tensions.
“If we had moved en masse, it could have led to confrontation. The police advised against proceeding today, and we respect that. There will always be another time,” he added.
Corroborating the monarch’s position, his media aide, Pastor Peter Olaleye, dismissed claims that Ikoyi-Ile lacks traditional leadership and alleged that the disruption was orchestrated by external actors.
“There are recognised Obas within Orire Local Government who invited the Soun. The claim that there is no Oba in Ikoyi-Ile is incorrect. Those behind the attack allegedly brought in thugs from outside the community. Such actions are barbaric and unacceptable,” he said.
As of press time, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
