Just In : Owo youth General Assembly rejects Ose-Akoko State proposal
As a dedicated entity committed to advancing the welfare and protecting the interests of the Owo kingdom and its populace, we write to express our collective dismay and vehement opposition to the recent proposal authored by Professor Ejeikwu Emmanuel Oloja. This proposal, which has gone viral, suggests to the Federal Government the creation of a new Ose-Akoko State with Ikare as its capital, including Owo Kingdom within its boundaries. This proposal is not only a political miscalculation but also a profound disrespect to the historical and cultural heritage of the Owo people.
For centuries, Owo has stood as a beacon of civilization, leadership and cultural richness in the region. Historically, Owo was the aboriginal headquarters of the old Owo division, from which the existing four Local Governments in Akoko and one in Ose were carved out. Presently, Owo serves as the senatorial headquarters for the six Local Government Areas proposing to become Ose-Akoko State. The proposal to subordinate Owo under Akoko is an affront to our historical status and a distortion of our rich legacy. Owo possesses the infrastructure, economic strength and cultural heritage that make it more suitable as a state capital than any other community in the proposed state.
The exclusion of Owo representatives in the discussions leading to this proposal is a clear indicator of the disregard for our people. It is unacceptable that decisions of such magnitude would be made without consulting or carrying along the very people whose lives and futures are at stake. This lack of inclusivity undermines the principles of democracy and fair representation that should guide such significant decisions.
Owo is not just a geographical location; it is a community with a proud history of leadership and influence. We have always played a pivotal role in the socio-economic and political development of Ondo State, South West and Nigeria as a whole. Reducing Owo to a subordinate position in a new state framework is an injustice that we cannot and will not accept. We are a people with dignity and a legacy of self-determination. Accepting this proposal would mean accepting the erosion of our historical identity and status.
To the architects of this proposal, we say: revise and review. Owo has the capacity and the rightful claim to be a state capital, not a secondary entity under another community. Any reorganization that does not acknowledge and respect this reality is fundamentally flawed and doomed to face our resistance.
If the Federal Government fails to adjust this proposal to reflect the rightful status of Owo, we, the people of Owo, will unequivocally reject any inclusion in the proposed Ose-Akoko State. We would rather remain an integral part of the existing Ondo State, where our contributions and heritage are recognized and respected, than be reduced to second-class citizens in a new political arrangement that disregards our history and status.
We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, historians, cultural custodians and international observers to support our cause for justice and equity. The Owo Youth General Assembly stands firm in our resolve to protect the dignity and historical significance of Owo Kingdom. We will not be part of any modern political slavery or subordination. It is better to die striving for what is right than to live a life of subjugation and insignificance.
In conclusion, we demand an immediate review and adjustment of the proposed state creation memo. The Owo people will never compromise on our historical legacy and rightful status. Let it be known that Owo Kingdom shall never be part of any arrangement that relegates us to a position of inferiority. Our heritage and future are non-negotiable.
Signed,
Olaposi Oyegoke
President
Damilare Aina
Secretary
