The Ondo State government, on Thursday, maintained that Irokun, Obinehin, Idigbengben and Araromi seaside communities in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state are not part of Ogun state.
Faulting the claims of the Ogun state government, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, in a statement said all the communities have a long history of traditional institutions within the state.
Ademola-Olateju while clarifying that the coastal communities are not subject to dispute before the National Boundary Commission, stressed that the recognition of traditional institutions in these communities are in order as they remain an integral part of traditional institutions.
According to the Information and Orientation Commissioner, all four communities have always been recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while they always conducted elections in the communities as part of Ondo state.
The statement read: “The press statement issued by Ogun State Government, based on the recent white paper issued by Ondo state, recognizing the traditional institutions of IROKUN, OBINEHIN, IDIGBENGBEN and ARAROMI seaside has been brought to the attention of the Ondo State Government.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
“The Government has decided to respond as follows in order to set the records straight.
That Irokun, Obinehin, Idigbengben and Araromi seaside are communities within Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo state. These communities have a long history of traditional institutions within the state.
“These communities are not in dispute between Ondo state and Ogun State as the people living therein are indigenes of Ondo state. In addition, the landmass occupied by these communities falls within the territory of the Ondo State of Nigeria.
“The claim that these communities are in dispute before the National Boundary commission is untrue, as the communities are within Ilaje Local Government of Ondo state. Federal institutions like Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regularly conduct elections in these communities and votes cast are recorded for the Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State.
“The recognized traditional institutions in these communities are integral parts of traditional institutions in, and of Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo state and the traditional rulers are indigenes of Ondo State.
“Ondo state Government in the recent White paper issued on Hon Justice Ajama Commission avoided consideration of request for recognition of traditional institutions from communities where there are land disputes and communal conflicting claims, pending the resolution of such disputes.
“It should be noted that the traditional institutions of these communities, submitted memoranda and appeared publicly before Ondo state Hon Justice C.E.T Ajama commission of Enquiry on Chieftaincy matters, set up by Ondo State as far back as 2015 without any opposition from any quarter, including the Government of Ogun State.
“It is surprising that the Government of Ogun state is trying to claim ownership, after Ondo State Government has accepted the recommendation of the said Commission”
Ademola-Olateju said further “While the Government of Ondo state is not averse to discussions on this matter as requested, we however urge our brothers in Ogun State to check their records properly on issues raised in their Press statement.
“It is on record that the communities in question have been in a festive mood since the announcement by Ondo state Government to recognize their traditional institutions.
“There is no threat to peace in these communities. We urge our people to continue to live harmoniously amongst themselves for the development of our dear sunshine state.”
FG Alone Can’t Fund Education Adequately — Minister
Ondo govt maintains Ilaje communities in Ondo not Ogun