By Rufus Gbaiye Aiyenigba
To us in Okun Peoples Front and Okun nation in general, the initiative of the 2014 National Conference by President Jonathanis a bold and commendable step in our journey towards. I congratulate Mr. President and all Nigerians for the golden opportunity of the centenary anniversary to re-invent the nation and move us towards fulfilling our manifest destiny as the true giant of Africa.
Nigeria today is encumbered by structuraldeformities. The national question must therefore be answered at this national conversation. Nigeria can only be called true nation-state when our diverse people share a strong emotional connection and bonding.
There must be a feeling of oneness by the people. Marginalized ethnic groups across the country must be given due attention. For instance, themarginalized and deprived Okun-Yoruba of Kogi State passionately look up to this conference for liberation. It is indeed regrettable that there is an unpleasant contrast between the socio-political fortunes of the Okun people in the pre- and post-colonial era and the contemporary times. Our people never had the cry of marginalization in those days when we were with Ilorin Province in the old Kwara State.
We had a fair share of socio-political consideration. We had unhindered access to education and public service opportunities. We were happy and satisfied very reasonably before our forced inclusion in Kogi State where we are presently. In fact, it is on record that our people were resolutely against been moved into Kogi State in 1987 when the then Military government of Gen. IbrahimBabangidaattempted creating new states.
Our people came together from across Okunlandand issued a memorandum to government objecting to the attempt of including the people of the then Oyi LGA in the proposed Kogi State. The memorandum was signed by a broad spectrum of our peopleincluding traditional and community leaders. Long before then, the late Chief Michael Asaju, theformer President of NUJ had effectively articulated the position of the Okun peopleat the Justice Irikefe Commission of 1975 that we were pleased with where we were and that we were not desirous of being moved to another state. The Igalaswho were at that time with us expressed their desire to be joined with the Idomas and Tivs their kith and kin and were eventually taken to Benue State. But alas, they were later to lament what they termed ‘’gross domination’’ by the two dominant tribes of the state.
In the ‘no consultation’ tradition of the military, the people were not consulted before new states were decreed into existence. Soin 1991, by military fiat,Kogi State was created and our people railroaded into the new state thus throwing us into the ‘imprisonment’ which we are currently in. We never elected to be where we are today. Our destiny is been captained by people who do not share affinity with us nor share in our aspirations and interest. We do not share the same culture, tradition and values with the Igalas who have become ‘’lords’’ over us as a result of error of geographical location.The position taken by our people in 1987 with regard to our interest is still the same in 2104. We know that it is impossible to change the past but we can determine the future we want for ourselves by ourselves. We should be allowed to exercise our inalienable right to self-determination. Our people desire that we be given our own state along with the Yoruba of Kwara State, or be merged with South west through boundary adjustment.
Agitation for a political unit for Okun people, and that we be re-united with our kith and kin in South-West is even stronger now than ever. It is with the South West that we share affinity, a cord of similitude in culture, history, communal identity and common values. We have a position paper to that effect already submitted to the Conference and we have a strong conviction that we will get justice as well as other such marginalized groups across the country. The prevailing situation where 80 percent of capital projects and 24,621of the state work force go to the Eastern Senatorial District of the state as against 6,519 and 4,069 to Central and West senatorial districts respectively is nothing but gross social injustice.
For the entire 23 years of the life of Kogi State, Okun people have not been given the opportunity of producing the Governor of the state. The Eastern Senatorial District has always appropriated key political appointments and socio-economic benefits to itself. Presently, over 70%of the state revenue goes to the East Senatorial District despite accounting for less than 10% of the entire IGR of the state. Under Governor Idris Wada dissolved his cabinet recently, there were 10 Commissioners for the East, 5 for Central and 4 for the West.
Also, there are 24 Permanent Secretaries for the East while Central and West have 4 each; The East has 14 Board Chairmen while Central has 8 and West has only 3. Also, in the composition of Boards, there are 200 Board Members for East while Central and West share 100.
The forgoing highlights the political insensitivity and gross domination of minority by the majority. It is nothing but an open invitation to social tension. No society can thrive under such gross disparity, deprivation, discrimination and molestation of one group by the other. No ethnic group is superior to the other in Nigeria. There is no solution to this situation except through a deliberate policy of inclusion through the reworking of the constitution to safeguard the interest of all groups in the Nigeria project. All Nigerians must be given a sense of belonging irrespective of where they are located.Peace is said to be the first condition for sustainable development, but peace can only be achieved through social justice and equity. Okun people of Kogi State must be emancipated. Now is the appointed time.
Aiyenigba is the National Publicity Secretary of Okun Peoples Front. Email: [email protected]
