The Osogbo Affairs Forum (OSAF) has dismissed claims attributed to an Ede chief, the Alabeere of Abeere-Ede, over the ownership of parts of land within Osogbo, describing the assertions as misleading and historically unfounded.
The group, made up of Osogbo indigenes at home and in the diaspora, raised the concern in a statement jointly signed by its Steering Committee Chairman, Abdulrahman Okunade, and Convener, Prince Hameed Oyegbade, and made available to journalists in Osogbo on April 30, 2026.
OSAF said the position of the Alabeere, reportedly contained in a widely circulated audio recording, challenged the historical ownership of key areas within Osogbo, including lands hosting major government institutions such as the Osun State Government Secretariat, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Television Authority, Independent National Electoral Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the National Examinations Council.
The forum described the claims as capable of generating avoidable tension, noting that they lacked historical backing and misrepresented established facts.
According to the group, the stretch of land from Ataoja School to the Nigeria Police Force Zone XI Command headquarters forms part of Osogbo’s traditional territory, a position it said is supported by long-standing boundaries, community history, administrative records, and government recognition.
OSAF further cited colonial-era documents to support its position, noting that the Osogbo-Ede boundary dispute dates back to 1929 when the administration of the time addressed the matter.
It stated that a letter dated September 20, 1929, by the Senior Resident of Oyo Province affirmed Osogbo’s claim to the disputed boundary, while another correspondence dated November 25, 1929, showed that the then Timi of Ede, Oba Adetoyese Laoye I, agreed with the administrative decision.
The forum emphasised that the records remain significant in establishing the historical position of Osogbo, warning against selective interpretation of history.
It cautioned that attempts to revive such sensitive issues through public commentary and unverified narratives could undermine peaceful coexistence among neighbouring communities.
OSAF urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and political actors to exercise restraint in making public statements on boundary matters, stressing the need for evidence-based engagement and commitment to peace.
The group also called on journalists and media practitioners to uphold professionalism by ensuring balanced and fact-checked reporting, warning against the spread of unverified claims that could disrupt public order.
It reiterated its commitment to preserving Osogbo’s historical heritage, promoting truth through documented evidence, and sustaining cordial relationships with neighbouring towns.
