Jonathan visits Ooni, monarch demands Oduduwa State

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade,
on Saturday, demanded a total
representation of the South-West in the
cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan
and the creation of the Oduduwa State
with its headquarters in Ile Ife.

The monarch made the requests among
others when Jonathan led notable
chieftains of the Peoples Democratic
Party, including the National Chairman of
the party, Adamu Muazu, on a visit to his
palace in Ile Ife, Osun State.
About 50 other traditional rulers from
Osun State and environs were present to
receive the president. This is the second
time Jonathan would be visiting the
palace to solicit the support of the royal
fathers and the people of the state to
ensure victory in the March 28
presidential election.
The Ooni delegated the Orangun of Oke
Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, to speak on
his behalf.

He said, “ We want total
representation. There are ongoing
projects in Osun State and we know there
is paucity of fund but we want you to
finish all the projects.”
Commending the President, Oba Ibitoye
Adeseun, the monarch of Iresi, said the
transformation agenda of the
administration and the renewed war
against Boko Haram insurgents were
laudable.
He added, “ Ife and Ijesa are large
enough to form a state of their own. We
want you to create Oduduwa State with its
headquarters in Ile Ife. We also seek the
implementation of the Confab report. We
throw our weight behind you.”

The Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi
Adeniran, assured Jonathan of the
support of the royal fathers and the
residents of the state in the coming polls.
He said, “Be rest assured that Obas and
indigenes of Osun State are solidly
behind you.”

The Olufi of Gbongan, Oba Adetoyese
Oyeniyi, also told the President that the
Gbongan-Iwo-Oyo State boundary has
not been completed but was reported to
have been completed. The Ooni prayed
for God to grant Jonthan success in the
presidential poll.
Responding, Jonathan promised the
monarchs that he would correct all the
lapses observed by his administration
especially the low representation of the
south-west people in his government.

Making an allusion to the position of
speakership of the House of
Representatives zoned to the South-West
and which was eventually lost to the
North-West, Jonathan said he would not
allow such lapse to repeat itself if given
the opportunity to rule the nation for
another four years.
He said, “ There will be political
opportunities for the people in the South-
West, we will correct all the lapses.

People from the south-west will play key
role and whatever is due them will be
given.”
Jonathan promised to implement the
report of the Confab, saying the
restructuring of the nation as contained
in the report was more important than
building infrastructure which he said his
administration would also not relent in
doing.

He said, “If you build infrastructure, they
will collapse one day. We will continue to
build infrastructure but if you make
significant changes in restructuring the
country, that is a significant and
sustainable development.”