By Hakeem Adebumiti, Akure.
The leadership of Akoko Consultative Forum (ACF) on Thursday rejected the Nine proposed Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) for Akokoland by the Ondo State Government.
The group leadership was led by its President, Pa Lawrence Rogbitan and a former NLC State Chairman, Comrade Momodu Braimoh.
During the press conference in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the group described the development as injustice and marginalization of Akoko in the political space of the State.
Precision Online Newspaper reports that the Ondo State Government had last month proposed 33 LCDAs, which would be carved out of the existing 18 Local Government Areas of the State.
Few days after the Government announced it would establish the LCDAs, a list of the proposed LCDAs was seen in the public, with the names and its headquarters.
The bogus list showed that the Four Local Government Areas in Akoko would now become Nine LCDAs.
The Ondo State Government had since denied the fake list in circulation which the group is laying claim to.
The group is however demanding that the State Government consider its appeal to have 16 LCDAs from the existing Four Akoko LGAs due to its history and population size.
“When Ondo State was created out of the then Western Region, Akoko was the second largest ethnic group after Ekiti, having two Local Government Councils out of eighteen (18) Local Government for both Akoko and Ekiti, namely Akoko South and Akoko North.
“When Ekiti State was created out of old Ondo State, Akoko become the largest single ethnic group in Ondo State, having Four (4) Local Government Areas out of Eighteen (18),” Pa Rogbitan noted.
“Owo LGA has a population of 218,886 and Ose has a population of 144,901. The total population of Owo and Ose is 363,787, whereas the total population of the 4 Akokos is 701,113.
“Gentlemen of the Press , 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 Akokos. Enough is Enough! O to ge!!,” the Groupon further added.
The group also called on the Ondo State Government not to neglect roads in Akokoland, adding that there should be an upgrade to grade A of some Obaship positions in the area.
The group in demanding for the 16 LCDAs in Akoko suggested that Akoko North East should have 4 LCDAs; Akoko North West, 4 LCDAs; Akoko South East, 3 LCDAs and Akoko South West, 5 LCDAs.
They also requested the Ondo State government to complete Ikare-Ajowa Road and interface on Akungba-Oka-Ishua-Ibilo Road as well as Owo-Ikare Road.
“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 belong to all of us and we shall strive harder to lift her up even at the face of provocation,” the group concluded.
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