Stakeholders of Ido town in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo, have raised fresh concerns over the lingering Onido of Ido dispute, stating that the town is currently faced with three individuals laying claim to the throne, nearly 19 years after the crisis began.

Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the leader of the group, Mr. Sarafadeen Mudasiru Adeyeye, said the unresolved crisis had continued to generate tension, confusion, and division in the town, calling on Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, to urgently revisit the matter.

“At the moment, Ido is in a very delicate situation because we have three different people claiming to be the Onido, Oba Benjamin Ademola Ishola Orobiyi II, Tajudeen Akinola, and Muritala Babalola. This is unhealthy for any community.

“We are appealing to the governor and the Olubadan to look into this matter afresh and bring clarity,” Adeyeye said.

He explained that the dispute traces its roots to the installation of Oba Orobiyi II in 1997, and the political and traditional disagreements that later emerged around 2007, during a period of heightened tension between the Oyo State Government and the Ibadan traditional hierarchy.

Adeyeye, stated further: “What started as political and traditional disagreements at higher levels eventually spilled into Ido, and for 19 years, our community has been living with the consequences.”

“We are worried that the issue has not been conclusively resolved administratively. Instead, the town has witnessed multiple appointments and counter-appointments, including those of Tajudeen Akinola and Muritala Babalola, which have deepened divisions,” Adeyeye said.

He added that efforts by past Olubadans to address the matter raised hopes at different times, but none resulted in a lasting resolution before changes in leadership occurred.

“Our appeal is not targeted at any individual. We are simply asking for a neutral, transparent, and comprehensive revisit of the entire issue so that Ido can finally have peace.”

The concerned stakeholders expressed optimism that a joint intervention by the state government and the Olubadan-in-Council would help resolve the long-running dispute, restore confidence in traditional institutions, and end nearly two decades of uncertainty over the Onido of Ido stool. (Nigerian Tribune)