The Yoruba-speaking Okun people of Kogi State have intensified efforts to be integrated into Nigeria’s southwestern region, citing decades of political marginalization, insecurity, and lack of cultural representation within the North Central state.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Wednesday, Ambassador Dr. Clara Monisola Tobaojo, a member of the Atunto Socio-cultural Foundation and coordinator for the Okun people, explained that the push for integration is part of a long-standing campaign to place the Okun people in a region aligned with their language, culture, and traditions.
She argued that integration is necessary to safeguard lives, protect cultural identity, and ensure political inclusion.
“The community’s aim is to ensure a sense of belonging and reduce marginalization,” Tobaojo said. “We emanate from Ile-Ife. Being in our present location is like plucking a fish out of water. We look around and cannot see people we are related to. We are not related to Ebira, Koton-Karfi, or Igala. So we are just there operating solo and achieving little because culturally, we are not connected with the people surrounding us.”
Security Challenges Fueling the Push
Tobaojo noted that insecurity, including attacks and banditry, has worsened the community’s marginalization. ““It has been very disheartening and disappointing too when people are suddenly plucked out of their domain, out of the home they built, out of the job they love, out of the people they love. Suddenly they become strangers to their base. There are issues that give us sleepless nights when you reflect on what binds people together culturally in their location and suddenly the whole thing becomes a mockery when people are plucked out of their homes to go and abide in their bush under sun and rain with maltreatment that cannot be mentioned. It is very disheartening and anybody that has a right thinking mind will not be comfortable with the situation and will not be happy with the state of the nation because I continue to wonder how do we get here,” she said. She described the ongoing violence in Okun-speaking areas as a major reason for seeking integration.
The community’s concerns extend beyond security to governance and political representation. “Since the creation of Kogi State, no Yoruba-speaking Kogi man has been a governor. Political marginalization is part of it. And not to talk of other things. Nobody can be comfortable with that. So if we go to where we belong, where we originated from, it is better for our people,”she said.
Tobaojo revealed that the Atunto Sociocultural Foundation has met with leaders in the southwestern region, including state governors in Ibadan, to discuss the Okun people’s request for integration. “The request was well received. We tabled our concerns and were encouraged to pursue formal representation at both federal and legislative levels,” she said.
Efforts have also been made to engage Nigeria’s three arms of government. “A draft has been raised to the National Assembly regarding our request, not only to the legislature but also to the judiciary and the President. Copies are already on their tables for consideration,” Tobaojo said.
She emphasized that traditional institutions have been included in discussions, particularly regarding insecurity and banditry. Initially, it was not well embraced, but with the present situation whereby people are losing lives and property due to banditry, there is this reasoning that it is better for us to go to where we belong. Is it not better so that we have a sense of belonging, security, and whatever is needed? So, the traditional leaders also embrace it. It is all-embracing,”,” she added.
Okun State and Long-Term Goals
While the community also seeks the creation of an Okun State, Tobaojo said the primary objective remains integration into the southwestern region. “The issue of Okun State is still in progress. It is still in progress and we believe it will be actualized, but whether Okun State comes or not, the request of being integrated to the western region has been on even before the request for Okun State, meaning that our desire is to be located rightly. When we are rightly located, our state can now emerge for us to meet our needs in that place,”” she said.
Tobaojo further suggested that aligning state creation along ethnic lines could improve governance and development. “Yes, Nigeria would have been created in line with ethnicity because when you speak the same language, you have the same cultural background, you blend much better than when you are located with people that you cannot even understand their language. Your cultural background is different. So, it is natural for people, for development to be enhanced when ethnicity is in place,” she said.
Calls for Unity and Security
Addressing critics, Tobaojo argued that national unity depends on productive ethnic synergy. “Can there be national unity if a particular ethnic group cannot work in synergy with others because of diversity? It will not. We want to have a sense of belonging and be in the region where we originated from,” she said.
Population size, she added, is central to political influence. She estimated that the Okun people number at least 10 million, including those in Kogi State and the diaspora. “Population matters in elections. The larger population always gains the upper hand politically,” she said.
Tobaojo noted that political exclusion affects employment and resource allocation. “Even job appointments are affected due to our present situation. Our farmers cannot go to farm. Villages are already eroded by banditry in Okun-speaking land,” she said.
On governance solutions, Tobaujo expressed cautious optimism regarding initiatives like state policing and constitutional amendments, which she believes could enhance security and minority representation over time. “State policing is still in the pipeline. It has not been approved yet. We are hoping for the best anyway. Nigeria is a very large country, and that is what has been affecting us. So let everybody manage this whole area and let us see what the results will be,” she said.
Calls for state policing were highlighted as a potential solution to the security challenges. “I don’t think state policing has started operating yet, but it is a way forward. When policemen man their state, they will have the area of jurisdiction and operate better,” she said, commending the President for showing willingness toward the initiative.
Community’s Peaceful Approach
Tobaojo stressed that the Okun people are pursuing the request peacefully. “We are engaging leaders, traditional institutions, and federal authorities. This is not a violent or confrontational move; it is a rightful plea for integration, representation, and protection,” she said.
Public Support and Concerns
Listeners and callers on Frontline echoed similar concerns. One, identified as Oscar, described the situation as a result of inequity and government mismanagement. “The problem we are having is equity and justice. If the government were doing what is right, nobody would think of where they come from,” he said.
Prince Raymond Hassan added that corruption and self-interest among political actors exacerbate ethnic disparities. “Some people are just there for their personal interest. What we need in Nigeria is not prayer but honesty and justice,” he said.
Tobaojo reiterated that the primary motivation for the Okun people is a sense of belonging and security. “We are not the only ethnic group that is not blending with others. Look at Ibera and Igala. Are they of the same language? Are they of the same culture? So, it is just a case of putting all related ethnic groups together; Kogi State has many cultural groups pulled together. Our goal is to join the southwestern region where we actually belong,” she said.
Political marginalization continues to limit participation and access to leadership roles. “Local states will allow us to operate within our domain. Population will be known, and we will be able to pick our leaders instead of remaining in the background for decades,” she said.
Tobaojo emphasized that the Okun people’s advocacy is grounded in peaceful engagement and long-term planning for security, representation, and development. “Integration into the southwestern region and eventual state creation are part of a larger vision for the Okun people to fully participate in governance and development,” she said.
