Date: 2017-05-20

For laying claim to lands in their area, protesters in Moro Local Government, Kwara State, on Wednesday, rose against the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

Several of the protesters from various communities in the council wielded placards with numerous inscriptions denouncing the Emir for alleged subjugation of their history.

The communities under the aegis of Moro Concerned Elders Movement (MCEM) added that there was no historical evidence to support the Emir's claims.

Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, President of MCEM, Alhaji Isiaka Jimoh, said that "Moro Local Government is populated mainly by Yoruba settlers who existed independent of Ilorin. History shows that such communities like Shao, Okutala, Oloru, Jebba, Babaloke etc have their respective traditional rulers who carried out general administration of their respective communities.

"Five per cent of monthly deductions from the council allocation is mainly being used by the 'Ilorin Emirate Council' with no single traditional ruler from the local government benefiting."

Jimoh, therefore, urged the state government to "operate a uniform law that will treat and see Moro as part and parcel of the state, in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." "We use this medium to call on the state government to do the needful by urgently addressing the various issues we have raised and analysed, as so doing is not only worthy but shall bring out the best in any listening and responsive government that is desirous to promote harmonious and all-inclusive governance within its territory.

"To our mind, the continued silence of the state government is a clear indication of insensitivity, impunity and indiscretion on the part of the government."

The MCEM president demanded for "the creation of Moro Traditional Council; beneficial utilisation of the five per cent deductible from the monthly federal allocation due to the council; stoppage of the diversion of the five per cent of the council allocation currently being remitted to the 'Ilorin Emirate;' immediate intervention of the various anti-corruption agencies through commencement of investigation to the alleged misappropriation of funds due to the local government from 2003 till 2015; future deductions of five per cent from the council to be remitted directly to Moro Local Government Traditional Council.

Other demands include the "immediate withdrawal of district heads from the council in compliance with the Kwara State white paper of December 17th, 1987; immediate return of the pre-1984 3rd class grading of both Ohoro of Shao and Oba of Jebba and immediate upgrading of the duo to first class status of their counterparts in other parts of the state." He enjoined the state government to "urgently address and correct all the developmental deficiencies in the local government to allow us have a sense of belonging".