The Iresa-Pupa Community Development Association (ICDA) has issued a strong rebuttal to claims made by a group linked to the Oko community, describing the statements as misleading, historically inaccurate, and aimed at distorting the past for ulterior motives.
In a joint press release signed by the ICDA Chairman, Rev. Zachaeus Olusanjo Akanni, and Secretary, Mr. Johnson Oyebamiji, the community organization dismissed the circulated narrative as “a baseless and revisionist attempt to challenge well-documented facts.”
According to the ICDA, the group behind the claims remains anonymous and lacks the historical backing necessary to challenge Iresa-Pupa’s long-established position as the traditional landlord of the region, including over Oko and its leadership.
He said, “We find it necessary to set the record straight and defend our legacy,” the statement read. “Our heritage and jurisdiction are rooted in historical documents, traditional structures, and legal recognition.”
The association addressed several specific points:
1. Traditional Status Misrepresented:
The group had referenced a 1959 colonial-era gazette, claiming it elevated Oloko among senior rulers.
ICDA countered this, noting that the gazette only listed subordinate chiefs and omitted top monarchs like the Soun of Ogbomoso and the Aresa, indicating that the document referenced was misinterpreted.
2. Fabricated Documentation Alleged:
The ICDA also challenged another cited document (a purported local government record from 1982-83) pointing out that Ogbomoso North Local Government did not exist until 1991, thereby rendering the reference fraudulent.
3. Misleading Origin Stories:
On the origins of Oko, ICDA noted that the name has been associated with multiple historical locations, including the now-defunct Oko Ose and Oko Ile. It emphasized that Oko Irese, the current settlement, is less than two centuries old and therefore cannot assert seniority over older communities.
4. Historical References:
The community cited scholarly and official records, including a 1953 chieftaincy report and works by Professor Oyerinde, affirming that the Aresa-Pupa holds presiding traditional authority. It also pointed to instances where Oko chiefs have sought approval from Aresa-Pupa during succession disputes, including documented correspondences from 1992 and 2021.
Documented Lineage and Recognition
The ICDA went on to highlight the chieftaincy lineage of Aresa-Pupa, listing rulers from the first monarch, Oba Obatuapa Taiwo, to the current king, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye III, who is the 11th in the line since the division of Iresa.
They further cited a 1995 Oyo State Government gazette which conferred recognized authority on the Aresa-Pupa over several chieftaincies, including Oko, covering more than 60 towns and villages.
Legal Backing and Final Appeal
Referencing a Supreme Court ruling in a boundary dispute between Aagba and Oko, the ICDA said the ruling validated their land boundaries and further solidified their traditional jurisdiction.
Concluding, the ICDA called for peace and a focus on development, warning against the repetition of past missteps.
“Let us avoid the errors that led to unfortunate outcomes in the past.
“We remain committed to historical truth, peace, and community progress,” the group concluded.
The association pledged to make all relevant documents available to the public and emphasized its dedication to accountability and unity in the region.
