Date: 2017-05-25

Moro Signpost Controversy: Emir summons IEDPU Posted by Rufai Olatunde on May 25th, 2017 and filed under News, Top Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry Share Tweet Share Pin Mail Agitators non residents, disgruntled politicians –'Indigenes' By Mumini AbdulKareem Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari has reportedly summoned leadership of the Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union (IEDPU) over the controversy brewing in the state on the call by some groups in Moro to secede from Ilorin Emirate, National Pilot learnt last night. A signpost to that effect surfaced in the state few months ago with the inscription stating that Shao belongs to Ododuwa and there is no emirate in Moro Local Government Areaa of Kwara State. But the Emir's action, it was gathered, was prompted by the courier message allegedly sent to him by the Moro Concerned Elders Movement (MCEM) after their press conference on Wednesday 17th, 2017 held at Flower Garden, GRA, Ilorin detailing their grievances and that Moro have distinct and different historical narratives from Ilorin.

The press conference was tagged: 'MCEM claims on Moro status, stating the facts.' The paper was signed by six leaders of MCEM including Alhaji Isaka Jimoh (President), Alhaji Issa Malete (Vice President), Dr Bolaji Afolabi, Alhaji Busari Alade, Chief Oyebiyi and Mr John Bello.

A source who confided in this medium on the issue because he was not authorised to officially speak on the matter said "some action would be seen from various traditional and securities quarters regarding the issue.

"They sent the text of their press conference to the emir through courier last week and he has responded swiftly. The Emir has summoned the IEDPU leadership and security action would be taken on the matter soon.

"It may mean more trouble for them now considering how the emir received their action," the source added.

Though calls to the President of the IEDPU, Alhaji AbdulHameed Adi last night was answered, there was no response

Response to the text message sent to him was still being expected before the paper went to bed last night.

The Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Soliu Woru Muhammed when contacted said he was not aware of the issue.

Meanwhile, the Moro Eminent Indigenes, an umbrella body which comprised prominent elders and natives of the local government yesterday described MCEM as a set of disgruntled politicians who are non indigenes of the local government, crying wolf where there is none for selfish reason.

In a press conference in Ilorin yesterday, the elders and leaders noted as false the claim by MCEM that Moro has been neglected by past administrations and subsequently pledged continued loyalty to the rulership of Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari.

Ten elders and leaders that cut across 17 wards in Moro including All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara North Senatorial Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Oniwa, Alhaji Ladimeji Sanusi, immediate past Moro local government chairman, Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Ajibola, Rauf Akano, Barrister Abdullahi Alikinla, Hajia Suebat Jimoh, Alhaji Ibrahim Aremu, Alhaji Azeez Beki Bode-Saadu and Alhaji Nasiru Aremu Aladifa endorsed the document.

According to their address, "all issues raised by MCEM during their press conference are untrue, baseless and an attempt to re-write the history of Moro to suit themselves and achieve selfish interest."

It said Moro and Asa has always been part and parcel of Ilorin Province which transformed to Ilorin division and consequently Ilorin Emirate, adding that all six signatories to their document were neither Moro indigenes or have any affinity with it.

It also noted that it was surprising and baffling how some group of people could rise to agitate for people with whom they have no connection with.

"...the said president of the movement, Isiaka Jimoh is an Ebira man from Kogi State, …Issa Malete is a disgruntled politician, Bolaji Afolabi is also another frustrated civil servant,... Busari Alade is a frustrated person who went to the wrong camp and never employed a single Ipaiye indigene or Moro person while in position ... Chief Oyebiyi hails from Iragbiji in Osun State and John Bello could not even win a single polling booth during the House of Assembly election he contested.

"Contrary to the claims of MCEM that no road was tarred in Moro local government, the road between Shao-Malete and Lanwa-Elebu express junction had been tarred and many ongoing road projects facilitated by Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

"Various communities in the local government enjoys provision of motorised boreholes and hand pump in addition to 6 functional ones in Jebba alone... there are specialist and cottage hospitals in Jebbe, Lanwa, Eji, Ipaiye and the only university campus is located in Moro by an Ilorin indigene governor", it added.

On the issue of grading of traditional institutions, the eminent indigenes said all the traditional rulers in Moro are well recognised and enjoy all benefits due to them, noting that MCEM claim on any court judgment favouring them on the issue is nothing but fallacy and was never on any traditional institution but rather about lineage between family.

They said it is the duty of the state government in line with the enabling laws to grade them.

It described the purported grading of Ohoro of Shao and Alabi Adebara of Jebba back in history as political motivated to gain votes and selfish interests by the government of the day and appreciated the Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon Matthew Okedare Jebba, among other notable Moro indigenes for engaging in numerous philanthropic activities to lift living standard of the people and Moro community.