Ìlá Òràngún

The 1886 Peace Treaty signed by prominent Yoruba traditional rulers effectively closed the 19^th century revolutionary and fratricidal wars in Yoruba land. It also marked the dawn of British colonial rule in the Southern Protectorate.

The 1901 Native Council Ordinance of Sir Williams McGregor and the subsequent 1913 Edict gave birth to Ila Native Council in 1913, but the Ila Native Council effectively took off in 1933 during the regime of Sir Hugh Clifford. The Oba-inCouncil that administered Ila Orangun as a transmission belt between the community and the colonial masters was replaced with Oba- and-Council from 1933 till 1958.

A review of the existing Native Councils in the Western Region vide the 1952 Western Region Local Government Edict during the administration of Sir John Rankeen led to the establishment of Ila District Council in 1954 that comprised Ila Orangun, Oke Ila-

Orangun and Ora Igbomina with neighbouring villages and settlements.

The 1954 Local Government elections in the Western Region produced thirty-nine (39) elected Councilors in Ila District Council for a three (3) year term of office. The contest was mainly between the Action Group (AG) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the National Council of Nigeria Citizens (NCNC) led by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

The NCNC had the largest number of elected Councillors in Ila District Council, and consequently formed the Government with Hon S.O. Akerele as the Chairman. The Leader of Opposition was Prince (later Orangun) William Adetona Ayeni. Orangun Gbadamosi Adedapo, Agboluaje II became the President of the Council, though on advisory capacity without a voting right. The Council enjoyed All-Purpose District Council status with extensive functions.

The 1957 Local Government Reform provided for the Women Councilors and the appointment of Inspectors to the Councils from the Civil Service.

The Western State Government through the Interim Provisions Edict No 18 of 1972 which came into operation on 1^st April, 1973 introduced a type of Council Managerial System in its area of jurisdiction. Consequently, parts of other District Councils, i.e Oyan, Asi and Asaba from Odo- Otin District Council and Otan Ayegbaju, Iresi and some adjourning villages from Ifelodun Central District Council, were merged with Ila District Council.

The Edict recognized a Management Committee as legislative body of the Council with at least twenty members. The membership of the committee was by appointment and was expected to meet only four times in a year, except when necessary. 

The 1976 Local Government Reform by the Muritala/Obasanjo military administration however strengthened the Councils and restored some measures of democracy. Elected Councilors were put in place, though under non- political party basis. However, the Military Administrator of every state was empowered to select, as Councilor, a female of voting right in the composition. Mrs Ruth Adekunle was privileged to occupy the seat at Ila Local Government.  

The 1976 Ila Local Government Area included the present Ifedayo and Boluwaduro Local Government Areas as well as Asi, Asaba and Oyan in Odo-Otin Local Government Area. But Asi, Asaba and Oyan were later removed from the list of towns in Ila Local Government Area.

However, in 1991, Ifedayo Local Government Area was created with Oke  Ila-Orangun as headquarters. In a similar vein, in 1996, Boluwaduro Local Government Area, with Otan Ayegbaju as headquarters, was carved out of Ila Local Government Area when Local Government areas were constitutionally increased to 774 in the country. Ila Central Local Council Development Authority, Magbon, IlaOrangun was however created in 2017.