By correspondent in Abuja.
(C) Google.
Hon.Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali Halims, representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency of Kogi State,in the House of Representatives,has resubmitted the bill for the creation of Okura State from Kogi State, this time, excluding Ajaokuta Local Government Area (LGA) from the proposed map.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Comrade Baba Ganaja, Personal Assistant to Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem, and made available to The Reporters in Lokoja on Thursday.
According to him, Hon. Abdulraheem, who is representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, moved an amendment motion during the presentation of the bill, citing a lack of consultation and historical boundary realities as reasons for rejecting the inclusion of Ajaokuta LGA in the proposed Okura State.
Hon. Abdulraheem emphasized that neither he nor his constituents were consulted before Ajaokuta was included in the original bill.
He pointed out that Kogi East and Kogi Central are naturally divided by the River Niger/Benue confluence, making Ajaokuta’s inclusion in Okura State questionable.
According to him when Kogi State was created on August 27,1991,Kogi East was carved from Benue State, while Kogi Central was taken from Kwara State, a development he noted further reinforces Ajaokuta’s alignment with Kogi Central.
Following Abdulraheem’s intervention, the House of Representatives reviewed the concerns and approved the amendment, leading to the exclusion of Ajaokuta LGA from the resubmitted Okura State creation bill.
Our correspondent reports that the initial proposal, which included Ajaokuta, had sparked widespread debates over the true ownership of the LGA between Kogi East and Kogi Central.
However, with the latest amendment, Ajaokuta remains part of Kogi Central in line with the wishes of its representatives and people.
Hon. Abdulraheem’s firm stance has been met with appreciation from his constituents, who see it as a victory for their identity and political integrity.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
