By Ayodele Oni
Traditional Rulers in Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Ekiti State,have led a peaceful protest over the continued neglect of the Council Headquarters, Eda Oniyo, in the provision of infrastructures.
The Royal Fathers explained, while briefing journalists at Eda Oniyo, Ekiti, that since over three years ago when the Headquarters was relocated to the town, the State Government has refused to embark on any visible project.
A spokesman for the Royal Fathers, Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, stated that private homes have been turned to offices to enable the Council workers operate while some of them have turned tree shades to offices.
According to him, the refusal of the State Government to release funds for the building of the Local Government Secretariat has really led to some of the workers not coming to office.
Oba Adetutu, who led other three Traditional Rulers, appealed, on behalf of the Community, to the State Government to facilitate the relocation of other offices and facilities still left behind at Iye, the former Headquarters to the new site.
In another Save Our Soul message, the Eda Oniyo Progressive Union, (EPU), explained that since the Supreme Court had ruled three years ago in favour of the Community, the State Government should not hesitate to provide necessary facilities befitting the status of Eda Oniyo as a Council Headquarters.
National President of EPU, Dr Rufus Ajayi, in his speech stated that “You are all aware of the tortuous journey to fame as regards the struggle for the local government headquarter between two communities of Eda Oniyo and Iye. Decree number 36, vol 83 of 1996 made Eda Oniyo the lawful hq of Ilejemeje LG. Same decree created Ekiti and other states in Nigeria.
“But, three months into its creation, one Military Administrator of Ekiti state through a radio announcement, claimed the Headquarters has been relocated to Iye. Not to bore you with rethorics, the legal battle began and lasted for over 20 years culminating in the Supreme Court judgement of 14th December, 2018, which affirmed Eda Oniyo as the legally recognized seat of Ilejemeje Local Government.
“Now, the implementation of the Supreme Court judgement began with a pronouncement by the State Government ordering the movement of all instruments of office from Iye to Eda Oniyo.
“Yes, we have the headquarters in Eda Oniyo today but, the accompanying facilities are still missing. It may interest you to know that almost three years after relocation, Eda Oniyo has not really felt the impact of the Local Government.
“All accomodation being used till date as offices are made available free by Indigenes of the Community, this is aside the various levies on the people just to ensure that the Headquarters takes off smoothly.
“Some departments are still left behind at Iye despite directive by the state government that everything including offices should be moved down to Eda Oniyo. For your record, it may interest you that the following offices/ facilities are still not available in Eda Oniyo.
“These are Magistrate Court, permanent LG secretariat, Police station, office of Independent National Electoral Commission, NSCDC, Plate Number to reflect the new status. No federal department has physically relocated to Eda Oniyo.
“Our demands are supposed to be provided without much noise, but the reverse has been the case now. Is it not interesting to hear that over two years after the official relocation of the Headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government to Eda Oniyo, the Community has not felt the presence of both the state and federal government in the provision of infrastructures to befit our status? That is our plea and demand from the state and federal Government.
“The Community has made available a large expanse of land, already surveyed for citing of the council headquarter secretariat, we equally cleared the site for construction work to commence.
“We appeal to the present administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi to ensure that this project see the light of the day during his regime.”
