Ex-lawmaker calls for creation of more local governments in Kwara
Honourable Wole Oke, a second Republic Majority Leader in the Kwara State House of Assembly,has called for the creation of three distinct local government areas from the present Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Oke made the disclosure at a press conference in Ilorin which was held to announce the first summit of the Moro Descendants Development Union which will hold at Bode-Saadu, headquarters of the council on August 31, 2024.
The event which attracted prominent figures from the Moro Local Government Area who included academics, politicians, and business/industry captains.
According to Arewa PUNCH, Oke explained that Moro isn’t pushing for conversion as a state at this time, but the primary focus is on achieving full autonomy for the local government.
He noted that during the administration of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, there was a proposal to divide Moro into three local government areas to ensure more inclusive governance.
Oke clarified, “Moro is not asking for the impossible. We are contented with what we have, but we believe the current Moro Local Government should be split into two or three more local government areas. This has been on the table for some time,” the ex-lawmaker stated.
He recalled his moments in the House of Assembly, October 1979 and 1983 when Moro and Orere existed as separate local governments until the military intervention changed the structure; thus, he reminded that “a 2014 committee under Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed proposed 48 local governments and area councils, including a recommendation to split Moro into three. However, the report was never implemented”.
According to the politician, “the proposed division would have seen; Lanwa/Ejidongari becoming Orere Local Government, Malete/Ipaye forming another, and the Oloru axis remaining as Moro, which would retain its name due to the Moro River flowing through the area.
Oke maintained, “If we were granted statehood, we wouldn’t reject it, but that’s not our immediate request. We are focused on achieving full autonomy for Moro Local Government, which is the driving force behind the upcoming summit organised by MODDU,” he explained.
During the press briefing, spokesperson of the union, Alhaji Isiaka Ayinde Jimoh outlined the goals of the upcoming summit, emphasising the need to liberate Moro from underdevelopment and internal divisions.
He stressed that the creation of MODDU aims to foster community development through entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programs.
“The formation of MODDU represents a ‘Beacon of Hope’ for Unity, Development, Progress, and Prosperity in Moro. Our primary goal is to emancipate the people of Moro by promoting unity and collaboration. We want to transform Moro Local Government Area into a ‘Beacon of Hope and Greatness’ in Kwara State and beyond,” Ayinde said.
Also speaking, a former state Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abdulmumin Sidiq Katibi, also harped on the importance of unity among the people of Moro, regardless of political affiliations.
“People are free to belong to any political party, but our priority is to ensure that Moro residents come together to pursue common goals. We need to avoid the mistakes of the past where our people were pitted against each other. This summit is about unity and progress for Moro,” Katibi better explained.
