Stakeholders in Ogbomoso, under the aegis of Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo (Home Headquarters), have rejected an alleged plan by the Oyo State Government to allocate portions of the 1,602-hectare Ogbomoso Farm Settlement to private investors and developers.

The umbrella body of socio-cultural organisations in Ogbomosoland, in a letter to the state government, described the alleged move as unacceptable, warning that any attempt to displace farmers from the settlement could trigger tension in the community.

The letter, signed by the group’s Chairman, Prince Aderemi Olude, and Secretary, Mr. Johnson Adekunle, said the controversy had gone beyond mere speculation, alleging that surveyors working for the state government had begun making incursions into the farm settlement.

The group said many of the farmers had occupied and cultivated the land for more than 60 years and should not be displaced in the name of development.

According to the organisation, the Ogbomoso Farm Settlement was established in the early 1960s for crop and livestock production after the government acquired about 1,602 hectares of land, with compensation reportedly paid to the original landowners.

It said the settlement had supported generations of farmers and remained part of the agricultural legacy associated with the development vision of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

The group, however, raised concerns over alleged encroachment on parts of the farm settlement by the Onpetu, saying the matter had previously been brought to the attention of relevant authorities.

It also recalled that a portion of the land known as the Old Farm School had been the subject of litigation, with the Supreme Court reportedly awarding the Onpetu 45 per cent of the Old Farm School.

The stakeholders stressed that their objection was not against investment or development but against displacing farmers from an existing agricultural settlement.

Rather than allocate the land to private investors, they urged Governor Seyi Makinde to consider revitalising the farm settlement through modern agricultural initiatives.

They proposed the retraining of farmers, establishment of cattle ranches, development of mechanised farms and agricultural institutes, as well as the establishment of agro-allied industries, including cashew and mango processing factories.

The group said such initiatives would create jobs, increase agricultural production and generate greater economic value for Ogbomoso and Oyo State.

“Rather than turn over the place to the so-called investors, why isn’t it revitalised?” the group asked, stressing that many people still actively farm on the land.

It warned that evicting the farmers could amount to destroying an agricultural heritage that had served generations of Ogbomoso residents.

The organisation therefore urged Makinde to intervene and prevent what it described as a potentially contentious development, arguing that other locations could be considered for investors rather than land already occupied and cultivated by farmers.

“We therefore, on behalf of the vast majority of the people of Ogbomoso, declare that we reject this move in its entirety,” the letter stated.

The group appealed to the governor to consider its concerns and prevent a possible crisis, while reaffirming its support for his administration and preferred candidates in the forthcoming general election.

Copies of the letter were sent to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Federal Ministry of Lands and Urban Development, Inspector-General of Police, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Area Commander, Ogbomoso, and the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye.