Why Creation Of Igbomina State Will End Age-Long Oppression — Osun, Kwara Monarchs, Tell House Of Rep Panel

The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin and university don, Dr Fatai Afolabi who led traditional rulers, districts heads, three senatorial districts, 16 Local Government Areas of Osun and Kwara State, have said creation of Igbomina State will end age-long oppression.

The Oba Abolarin and Secretary of Igbomina Committe, Dr Afolabi in a joint address after the appearance before the House of Representative committe on the review of 1999 Constitution on Friday, presided over by Hon. James Faleke, he disclosed that Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Raimi Adeoti and Dr Adeola Faleye made the presentation.

Afolabi lamented that the artificial administrative boundary that lumped them with Ilorin’s Fulani emirate, with whom they share no cultural kinship.

He said “The Igbomina migrated from Ile-Ife under the leadership of Ajagunla, who became the first Orangun of Ila. Their natural homeland spans today’s Osun and Kwara States, until the Fulani Jihad of the early 19th century, the River Osin naturally divided the Igbomina domain from Oyo’s direct rule, while the Orangun of Ila governed his people with a participatory Yoruba kingship structure that balanced authority with community consensus.

“The Fulani gradually extended their hegemony beyond Ilorin proper, swallowing Igbomina towns under their emirate’s authority. This was not achieved through peaceful assimilation but through religious deception, intimidation, and later colonial administrative fiat.”

He noted that the consequences of the political alignment is disastrous, adding that “the Yoruba value clashed fundamentally with the Fulani emirate system. This movement of Igbomina has been supported by Yoruba nationalists, such as Dr. A.S. Agbaje and Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa.

“The call for Igbomina unification is far bigger than local politics. It is a symbol of the unfinished business of Nigerian nationhood. If Nigeria is ever to fulfill its promise as a true federation built on consent and mutual respect, it must resolve the Igbomina question once and for all.”

Ends.