Youth Condemn Inclusion of Ajaokuta in Proposed Okura State
A group of youths from Ajaokuta Local Government Area in Kogi State have expressed strong opposition to the proposed creation of Okura State, which allegedly includes their local government in its map.
According to a statement released by the spokesperson of the youths, Comrade Abdulraheem Okekenu, the River Niger serves as a natural boundary that cannot be disputed. Okekenu advised the agitators to immediately delete Ajaokuta Local Government from the map.
He described the move as an invitation to anarchy and crisis, emphasizing that the area had never been part of the Eastern part of the state who are advocating for the creation of Okura State.
Speaking further, Okekenu asked if Ajaokuta Local Government was part of their map when they were in Benue or Enugu, or when they were leaving Kwara, noting that there was never a time they were part of them.
Okekenu called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to immediately halt the proposed creation of Okura State, which he described as a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. He also urged Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to step in and stem the tide that is capable of causing crisis for his administration.
The youth leader acknowledged that it is the right of others to seek the creation of their own state, but reminded them that their right stops where others start. He emphasized that the Federal Government cannot afford to allow a crisis anywhere at this time, considering the fact that the government is already spending huge resources to curtail insurgency and banditry across the country.
This comes on the heels of a statement by Hon. Sanni Egidi, a member of the House of Representatives, who opposed the inclusion of Ajaokuta federal constituency in the proposal to create a new state from Kogi. The proposal was moved by Ibrahim Halims, a lawmaker representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro federal constituency of Kogi, who sought the creation of Okura state from Kogi with Egume as the proposed capital.
The youths’ stance against the proposed creation of Okura State underscores the importance of respecting natural boundaries and ensuring that the rights of all stakeholders are considered in the process of creating new states.
