Some leaders from Akoko area of Northern Senatorial District under the auspices of Akoko Consultative Forum(ACF) on Thursday called on Ondo State government to create additional 16 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) for the people of Akoko in the state.
Protesting alleged marginalization of the four local government areas in Akoko in the creation of the new 33 LCDAs, the group alleged that the presentation during the public hearing on the creation of the new LCDAs was ignored by the state House of Assembly.
Led by their President of the organization, Pa Rogbitan Ibukun, the protesters alleged that some local government areas which were not as large as any of the four local governments in the district were given more LCDAs.
Addressing newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka, Akure, the protesters demanded that the state government should create more LCDAs from the existing four local government areas of the state.
Pa Rogbitan, an octogenarian, explained that only nine LCDAs were created from the four existing local government areas.
He, therefore, said they want 16 additional LCDAs with four in Akoko North East, four in Akoko North West, three in Akoko South East and five in Akoko South West.
While fielding questions from journalists, one of the leaders, Comrade Momodu Braimoh disclosed that councillors from the four local governments in Akoko were coerced by their political leadership, All Progressives Congress (APC), to append their signature on the creation of the new 33 LCDAs passed by the state House of Assembly.
He said only councillors from Akoko South-West declined to sign the document.
A speech jointly signed by Pa Rogbitan Ibukun and Mr. Benson Dada, president and secretary of the organization respectively, reads in parts: “On behalf of the entire sons and daughters of Akoko home and abroad, the National Leadership of Akoko Consultatative Forum (ACF) with our teeming members gathered here to express our views to Ondo State government and the entire world at large numerous cases of injustice, marginalization and oppression of our people and to say NO to such
forthwith.
“As at 2006, which is still the current Census figure that is recognized in Nigeria, the population of the four Akoko Local Government Areas are as follow :
Akoko North East LGA is 179,092, Akoko North West LGA is 211,867, Akoko South East is 82,443 and Akoko South West is 228,383.
“A major requirement is population and in Nigeria, 1976 Local Government Reform identified the benchmark as between 150,000-800,000 people per Local Government.
“The total population of the 4 Akokos is 701,113.
“The implication and intending fallout of the purported exercise is aimed at subjugating , marginalizing and killing Akoko politically and put the Akokos in perpetual bondage in the scheme of things compare to Owo and Ose within the same Ondo North Senatorial District.
“We are bold to say capital NO. This is not acceptable to all Akokos . Enough is Enough ! O to ge !!
“Ondo State government neglects our roads in Akokoland. Unfairness in the upgraded Obaship position in Ondo State in recent time amongst others.
“As much as we support Ondo State government’s vision and mission to create new LCDAs in Ondo State, we demand for 16 LCDAs in Akoko as follows : Akoko North East – 4 LCDAs, Akoko North West – 4 LCDAs, Akoko South East – 3 LCDAs and Akoko South West – 5 LCDAs.
“Requesting Ondo State government to complete Ikare – Ajowa Road and interface on Akungba- Oka – Ishua – Ibilo Road . Also , Owo-Ikare Road requires Ondo State intervention .
“Upgrading of our deserving Obas in Akoko to Grade A as it was done in others zones.
“We urge our sons and daughters in government to continue to do their work diligently as we are noted for and we urge our people at home to remain calm until JUSTICE is seen to have been done in our case.
“Ondo State belongs to all of us and we shall strive harder to lift her up even at the face of provocation.”
Moreover, Comrade Momodu said: “At public hearing, we presented memo which was not considered. When we felt our political leaders were not doing it the way we want, we took it upon ourselves but we were shut out.
After public hearing, we were told that the leadership of the APC invited all the councillors to Akure for them to endorse what the House had passed. Akoko South-West councillors didn’t sign. Others from the remaining three LGAs claimed they signed in error.
“To fill in the gap, ACF leaders came forward to address the lapses. This is a rejoinder to creation of 33 LCDAs as it affects Ondo North Senatorial District..
This can affect our political aspirations in future.
“A copy of this address has been addressed to the governor and Speaker of the state House of Assembly with the intention of reversing this before it’s too late.”
However, former National President of Association of Community Pharmacists(ACP), Samuel Adekola noted that the state government could still rectify the lopsidedness in the creation of the new LCDAs since the bill has not been assented to by the governor.
He said: “We want to call on the governor to give the complaints holistic approach so that everyone would be happy.
Since the bill has not been assented to, it can still be sent back to the House of Assembly for amendment.”
