Ondo Community Reject Inclusion in Proposed Ijebu State

Leaders of the Ilaje community in Ondo State have strongly opposed the reported move to include their land in the proposed Ijebu State.

They stated that they were not consulted and have no interest in being part of the new state.

The proposal to create Ijebu State is backed by a bill that was introduced in the Senate on November 17, 2024.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel from Ogun East Senatorial District, seeks to carve Ijebu State out of Ogun State.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the President-General of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, Iwamitigha Irowainu, made it clear that the Ilaje people have no political, historical, or administrative ties with the Ijebu.

He insisted that their land should remain part of Ondo State.

He pointed out that Ilaje has always been linked with other communities in Ondo, such as Ikale, Apoi, Ondo, Idanre, and Owo.

Over the years, these groups have shared cultural and administrative connections, and they have always worked together in state and local government matters.

Irowainu denied any claims that the Ilaje people had requested to be included in Ijebu State.

He stressed that if such a demand had been made, it would have been formally submitted to the National Assembly committee on state and local government creation.

He called on the Federal Government to respect their decision and ensure that Ilaje land remains in Ondo State.

He also urged the authorities to correct past boundary changes that placed some Ilaje communities in Ogun State.

He referred to the 1975 Irikefe Panel on state creation and boundary adjustment, which had recommended that Ilaje towns merged with Ogun State in 1976 should be returned to Ondo.

These communities include Itebu Manuwa, Ajegunle, Ayetumara, Igboedu, Obinehin, and Arijan.

Expressing concerns over security, he accused some Ogun State officials and security agents of threatening Ilaje residents near the state border.

He called on Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to take steps to protect Ilaje communities, including Atijere, Ugboedun, Irokun, Ayetumara, and Obinehin.

Irowainu urged the Ilaje people to remain alert and resist any attempts to influence them into accepting the inclusion of their land in Ijebu State.