By Ayodele Oni
The Akokos, one of the largest ethnic groups in Ondo state have cried out over what they call marginalization under the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
President of Akoko Consultative Forum, Lawrence Ibukun, said in Akure on Thursday that the ethnic group has not got its fair share of positions, infrastructure and creation of new local governments under the present administration.
As it presently stands, out of the 18 local governments in Ondo state, Akoko has four.
The leader of Akoko gave a breakdown as follows : “When Ondo State was created out of the then Western Region, Akoko was the second largest ethnic group after Ekiti, having two Local Government Councils out of eighteen (18)
Local Government for both Akoko and Ekiti, namely Akoko South and Akoko North.
“When Ekiti State was created out of old Ondo State, Akoko become the largest single ethnic group in Ondo State, having four Local Government Areas out of eighteen (18).
“Other ethnic groups making up the present Ondo State are, the Owos, two Local
Government Areas, the Akures, two Local Government Areas, the Ondos two Local
Government Areas, the Ileluji/Odigbos, two Local Government Areas, the Ikales, two
Local Government Areas, the Ilaje/Ijaw, two Local Government Areas and the Idanre/Ijares, two Local Government Areas.”
“Akoko is made up of four Local Government Areas Viz :Akoko North East LGA with 13 political Wards; Akoko North West with 10 political Ward; Akoko South East with 11 political Wards and Akoko South West with 15 political Wards .
“As at 2006 which is still the current Census figure that is recognized in Nigeria, the population of the four Akoko Local Government Areas are as follow : Akoko North East LGA is 179,092; Akoko North West LGA is 211,867; Akoko South East is 82,443 and Akoko South West is 228,383. Total is 701 , 785.”
To ensure justice in the ongoing creation of Local Councils Development Authority, (LCDA) the Akokos are demanding for Additional 16 to be carved out of the present four local governments.
They also want government to upgrade deserving traditional rulers in the area, as well as rehabilitate dilapidated highways.
