By Peter Omopo
The Remo Committee on State Creation has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the distinct identity of the Remo people in the ongoing agitation for the creation of a new state out of Ogun State.
In a statement signed by the committee chairman, Aare Kola Oyefeso, and secretary, Mr. Wole Awe, and made available on Monday, the group revealed that it had submitted a separate memorandum to the National Assembly with the endorsement of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi.
According to the committee, the decision to pursue a distinct proposal for a “Remo-Ijebu State” with Sagamu as its capital stemmed from longstanding disagreements between the Remo and Ijebu divisions, particularly over the naming and location of the capital of the proposed state.
The committee stated that the Ijebu group’s insistence on naming the new entity “Ijebu State” with Ijebu-Ode as the capital was unacceptable, as it failed to acknowledge the historical and cultural uniqueness of the Remo people.
Citing historical precedents, the committee argued that in past state creation efforts, considerations were made to accommodate diverse groups within proposed states. It pointed to examples such as Oyo State with Ibadan as capital, and Osun State with Osogbo, noting that this model of inclusive naming and power-sharing was essential to ensure equity and balance.
The committee also referenced the creation of Ogun State, noting that despite Abeokuta’s dominance, the state was not named “Egba” or “Abeokuta” to avoid marginalizing other ethnic groups within the province.
“The plausible reason for this position on the part of Remo is that the Remo identity was handed down by our heroes past, even before the Martindale enquiry authenticated Remo distinctiveness in 1937,” the statement read.
The Remo Committee emphasized that their identity had often been wrongly subsumed under the broader Ijebu classification in the past, a situation they are now determined to resist.
“Remo shall not be part of the subjugation of its identity and under any guise or excuse would Remo people allow the name Remo to be subsumed in the name of the proposed state,” the statement concluded.
With both Ijebu and Remo divisions submitting separate memoranda to the National Assembly, the fate of the proposed state now lies in the hands of federal lawmakers, who must navigate the deep-rooted historical and cultural sentiments involved.
