Former president Olusegun Obasanjo and the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona yesterday disagreed over the age-long agitation for the creation of Ijebu State out of the present Ogun State.
Obasanjo and Oba Adetona spoke just as President Muhammadu Buhari lamented the decline in the oil fortunes of the country during the latter’s visit to the state in celebration of 40 years of being founded.
Obasanjo, who reacted to an earlier statement by the Awujale while speaking at the state luncheon organised for Buhari said he would only support the creation of an Ijebu State only if they would agree and reach a consensus on the choice of Ikenne as the capital of the proposed state.
Ikenne is the birthplace of the late sage and former premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“I’ll support the creation of Ijebu State if and if only the capital will be Ikenne,” Obasanjo said.
Earlier, the Awujale, in his goodwill message had enjoined Obasanjo to back the demand for the creation of Ijebu State out of the present Ogun State.
The monarch reiterated his relentless demand for the creation of Ijebu State, and stressed that Obasanjo’s support was crucial.
He, however, urged President Buhari to grant the request of the people of Ijebuland for a state of their own.
Also, in his speech, Buhari, who concluded his two-day official visit to Ogun State, expressed regret that the country’s oil wealth was fast thinning out as it had become unable to produce enough refined petroleum products for domestic use.
“I appreciate President Obasanjo for making me the minister of petroleum. For three years, he tolerated me.
“During that period, we built Warri and Kaduna refineries. We laid so many pipelines and then, we exported refined petroleum products.
“But, what do we have today? I want to stop here,” Buhari said.
He commended Governor Ibikunle Amosun for his administration’s achievement in the area of infrastructure development of the state.
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