Traditional rulers, political leaders, and indigenes of Ipao-Ekiti, Oke-Àkò Ekiti, Ijowa-Ekiti, and Irele-Ekiti have rejected their proposed inclusion in the agitation for the creation of Okun State.

In a statement made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, this resolution was made during a meeting held recently in Ipao-Ekiti.

According to the statement, the meeting was convened following a letter from the Okun Development Association about the communities’ proposed inclusion in Okun State.

“We categorically state that our communities, Ipao-Ekiti, Okè-Àkò Ekiti, Ijowa-Ekiti, and Irele-Ekiti have resolved to remain in Ekiti State and are not part of the agitation for the creation of Okun State.”

The communities emphasised their historical and cultural ties to Ekiti State, noting that they have never been part of the old Kabba Province or the Northern Protectorate.

“We share a deep-rooted affinity with the old Western Region, the former Ondo State, and the present-day Ekiti State,” the statement added.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of the proponents of Okun State to seek its creation, the communities maintained that they were satisfied with their status as part of Ekiti State.

They also rejected any unauthorised representation on the matter, stating, “Our communities have not assigned or authorized any individual(s) to represent us in discussions concerning the proposed Okun State. Any commitments made by individuals in this regard are personal and do not reflect our collective decision.”

The PUNCH reported that the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee’s proposed creation of 31 additional states besides the country’s 36 existing states has sparked widespread reactions from prominent Nigerians and groups across the country.


https://punchng.com/ekiti-communities-reject-okun-state-inclusion/