Ondo community rejects inclusion in proposed state
Leaders of the Ilaje community in Ondo State have rejected the reported inclusion of their land in the proposed Ijebu State, stating that they were never consulted and would not be part of any such arrangement.
A bill seeking to create Ijebu State passed its first reading during the plenary at the Senate on November 17, 2024.
Sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel representing Ogun East Senatorial District, the bill seeks to establish Ijebu as an independent state out of Ogun State.
Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Friday, the President-General of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, Iwamitigha Irowainu, said the Ilaje people had no political, historical, or administrative ties with the Ijebu and therefore should not be included in the proposed state.
Irowainu noted that the proposed Ijebu State did not enjoy the support of any section or kingdom in Ilaje land.
He said, “This briefing is predicated upon the rumours now making the rounds of intent to include Ilaje land or part of Ilaje local government area in the proposed Ijebu State if and when created. Our association politically and administratively has been with the old Ondo province and the current Ondo state.
“Culturally, the Ilaje, Ikale, Apoi, Ondo, Idanre, Owo etc have many things in common. We have been linked together administratively over the years. In the desire for the creation of states and local government areas, we have always shared common aspirations.
“The desire is that all these entities should stay together in the present Ondo State. As far as we are aware, the move to include Ilaje land or any part of Ilaje local government area in the proposed Ijebu state does not enjoy the support of any section or kingdom in Ilaje land.”
He clarified that during the ongoing deliberations at the National Assembly regarding state and local government creation, the Ilaje people never submitted any request to be included in Ijebu State.
“If we had wanted such a demand, we would have formally made our case before the committee on state and local government creation at the National Assembly,” he added.
Irowainu, however, called on the Federal Government to ensure that their land remains part of Ondo State, just as he urged the authorities to address past boundary injustices.
He demanded that Ilaje towns and villages, which were merged with Ogun State in 1976, be returned to Ondo State as recommended by the 1975 Irikefe Panel on state creation and boundary adjustment.
He listed the affected communities to include, Itebu Manuwa, Ajegunle, Ayetumara, Igboedu, Obinehin, and Arijan.
The Ilaje leader also raised concerns about alleged threats to Ilaje communities along the border with Ogun State, alleging that some officials from the state, in collaboration with certain security agencies, were attempting to undermine the safety of Ilaje residents.
He called on Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the state’s Chief Security Officer, to take action in protecting Ilaje communities, particularly Atijere, Ugboedun, Irokun, Ayetumara, and Obinehin.
He urged the Ilaje people to remain vigilant and not succumb to any inducement that could compromise their territorial integrity.
