Daniel Accuses Some Ogun Indigenes Of Working Against Ijebu-Remo State Creation
Former Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State has accused some
indigenes of the state of frustrating efforts for creation of Ijebu-Remo State.
According to the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial
District, those involved in such conspiracy are collaborating with outsiders to
frustrate the agitation for creating the proposed state out of the present Ogun
State.
Daniel, who made the allegation while speaking during the
Community Midterm Assessment Tour of the BATOGD Movement for Ijebu East Local
Government in Ijebu Imusin, however, was silence on the identities of those
involved in such conspiracy.
The former governor who is sponsoring the bill for the
creation of the new state at the National Assembly, explained that such ugly act
is capable of jeopardize the move for the proposed new state.
He added that the move is at the detriment of years of
collective struggle and the dreams of the late Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba
Sikiru Adetona, who championed the cause until his death.
Daniel, however, warned that unless the people unite, the
long-awaited statehood bid could suffer the same fate as the Dangote Refinery
project, which was relocated to Lagos after his tenure as governor.
“From what I have gathered, each geopolitical zone may not
get more than one new state.
“In the South-West, we have competition from our Ibadan
brothers, who are also demanding their own state. Our only advantage is that,
of all the provinces created in 1923, only the Ijebu Province—which comprises
nine local governments—has yet to become a state,” Daniel said.
“Some of our people, perhaps because of temporary benefits,
are working with outsiders to sabotage this dream,” adding, “We are short of
calling them bastards.”
“The proposed Ijebu-Remo State, with its capital in Ijebu
land, would not only correct historical imbalance but also accelerate regional
development and political representation.
“I raised an alarm
when I heard that the Dangote Refinery, which I facilitated to Ogun State as
governor, was being moved to Lagos, but no one listened until the
multi-billion-dollar investment was lost. I pray our state creation effort will
not go the same way. By God’s grace and with President Tinubu’s continuity beyond
2027, Ijebu-Remo State will become a reality.”
The senator also linked the creation of the new state with
his re-election to the Senate and President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid,
urging the people to remain united behind both causes.