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.”