Ondo monarchs reject lawmaker’s proposed coastal state

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Traditional rulers in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have publicly rejected the proposed creation of a coastal state, a move being championed by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.

In a statement signed by the council’s chairman, the Ajobu of Araromi-Obu, His Royal Majesty Oba Adelola Aderemi, the Odigbo Local Government Traditional Council said the proposal does not reflect the aspirations of the people and could cause more division than development.

“We want to categorically state that the Odigbo Local Government Traditional Council does not endorse the proposed creation of a coastal state,” Oba Aderemi declared. “This plan does not reflect the aspirations of our people and, in fact, threatens to bring about more division than development.”

The monarchs urged Senator Ibrahim to abandon the initiative, warning that any attempt to merge Odigbo communities into a new state would not be supported by the traditional institution.

While expressing their openness to initiatives that promote growth and prosperity, the council maintained that the coastal state proposal fails to align with the broader goals of the local population.

They also questioned the legitimacy of the senator’s efforts, stating that the proposal lacked grassroots backing among residents of the communities affected.

The council urged stakeholders to resist the plan and instead focus efforts on the holistic development of Ondo State.

The decision was reached during a meeting held at the Ajobu’s palace in Araromi-Obu, attended by key monarchs, including the Orunja of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade; Akogbe of Ajue, Oba Bamidele Akinwe; Akamuja of Igburowo, Oba Nelson Akintolayo; Oworofun of Lapahun, Oba Solomon Adejayan; Olusan of Ayesan, Oba Adebayo Bashiru Takuro; and Ajamolu of Oniseere, Oba Olafusi Johnson.