Movement for the creation of Okura State from the present Kogi state has been described as genuine demand towards the realization of their aspiration for legitimate agitation in line with the constitutional requirements for its creation.
A member of movement for the creation of Okura state, Dr Yakubu Ugwalawo stated this during the presentation of their position paper, to the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) North ‘Central Zone, Centre A’ public hearing for the three states of Niger, Kwara and Kogi, held in Minna.
Dr Yakubu Ugwalawo who submitted a memorandum for the creation of Okura State comprising nine Local Government Areas from Kogi East and presented a consequential amendment on fourteen Local Government Areas created by the Kogi state house of Assembly.
Leader of the delegation who highlighted the importance of considering the demands of the creation of Okura State, explained that for the fairness justice and justice to the area, there was the need to consider its population of over three million people, fourteen thousand square kilometers of arable land and economic viability as well as long history of the area.
He however stated that the existing Local Government Areas of the proposed Okura State include; Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ida, Ibaje, Ovu, Olamaboro, Omala and Igalamela Odolu councils, while Justice A of major ethnic groups of Igala, Bassa Komu, Bassa Nge, Ebira Mozum, as well as Hausa, Igbo, Fulani, Nupe and other Nigerian ethnic groups.
Dr Yakubu Ugwalawo explained that the consequential amendment fourteen Local Government Areas to be created for the proposed Okura State consisting of Ibaji East, Odolu, Odane, Itobe, Igala-Ogba, Ogugu, Imane, Enjema, Ojoku, Okura, Gboloko, Mozum, , and Biraidu respectively.
He revealed during the presentation that the demand for the autonomy of Okura State started about sixty one years ago as well as in nineteen eighty when it was formally presented to the National Assembly for referendum before the military intervention that scuttled it, while assuring that it would go through one hundred percent referendum in the nine Local Government Areas of the proposed state.
He therefore, presented their prayers for the creation of Okura State out of the present Kogi state and to have a consequential legislation on the creation of additional fourteen Local Government Areas.
Dr Ugwalawo therefore appreciated the Kogi state Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his leadership and urged him to continued to support the creation of the new state out of Kabba province during his tenure like other province in the country.
Kogi state Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who presented their request through the state Commissioner of Justice Barrister Muzi Yunus Abdullahi, said what they needed at the end of the public hearing is to have a people oriented constitution that will be owned by Nigerians for the good of all, where all confusions in the Constitution are removed.
Deputy Speaker and Chairman House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Okiezie Kalu chaired the proceedings, while the Chairman Centre A and Deputy Majority Leader Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali Halims, assured of readiness of members of the committee to discharge their constitutional mandate professionally in line with laid down rules and regulations that would give Nigerians what they desired.
END ALIYU LAWAL.
