- Urges review and suggests Kajola
The Orokere Amuro Community has voiced strong opposition to the proposed designation of Takete Ide as the headquarters of the proposed Amuro Local Government, as contained in the draft memorandum for the creation of Okun State submitted to the National Assembly.
In a letter addressed to the leadership of the Okun Development Association (ODA), made available to our correspondent, the community expressed deep dissatisfaction with the decision, describing it as a distortion of the historical, traditional, and administrative order that has long defined the peaceful coexistence of the seven constituent communities of Amuro.
The letter, signed by Comrade Segun Peter, President-General of the Orokere Welfare Association, called for an immediate review of the proposal and recommended Kajola as a more neutral, central, and equitable location for the proposed local government headquarters.
Listing the seven constituent communities of Amuro—Orokere, Takete Ide, Aiyeteju Agbajogun, Aiyedayo/Oroke, Aiyede, Otafun, and Okagi—the letter highlighted Orokere as the oldest and most historically significant settlement. It argued that any decision on the headquarters should reflect the traditional hierarchy, population size, and geographic considerations.
Comrade Peter challenged the basis for selecting Takete Ide, stating: “If history is to be the guiding principle, Orokere should be the clear choice. If it is by size and population, Orokere still stands out. But if geographical centrality is the yardstick, then Kajola is the most appropriate and neutral option.”
The community lamented what it described as a lack of adequate consultation and alleged that the proposal may have been influenced by a narrow or biased perspective. It urged ODA to adopt a more inclusive and fact-based approach in matters of such significance.
In its concluding demands, the Orokere Community called on ODA to:
- Launch an objective fact-finding mission into the historical and traditional structure of Amuro;
- Immediately revise the proposal naming Takete Ide as the headquarters;
- Consider Kajola as a geographically fair and non-contentious alternative.
While reaffirming support for the efforts of the Okun Development Association in championing the unity and progress of Okunland, the letter appealed to the leadership to uphold the principles of fairness, objectivity, and justice in addressing the concerns of the people of Amuro.
The controversy is likely to reignite broader conversations about equity and representation in the proposed state structure, especially as consultations on the review of the 1999 Constitution intensify.
