By our reporter
The controversy over the proposed creation of Ose State has taken a new dimension as writer and researcher, Olatunbosun Oladimeji, has defended his position on siting the capital in Owo, while describing recent criticisms against him as “unfounded and malicious.”
In a detailed rejoinder, Oladimeji dismissed an August 26th statement by Afolabi Amure, Olanrewaju Kazeem, and Pa Lawrence Ibukun Rogbitan, who accused him of bigotry and ethnic bias. According to him, their counter-arguments lacked factual depth and failed to address the substance of his research-based paper on the viability of Ose State.
> “Instead of engaging with my facts, they resorted to personal attacks. My proposal was thoroughly investigated, covering history, politics, socio-economics, heritage, business advantages, and geography,” Oladimeji stated.
Drawing on historical and geographical references, he maintained that Owo remains the most suitable choice for a state capital, citing its expansive land, economic activities, political relevance, and extensive road networks linking the town to major parts of Nigeria.
Oladimeji argued that Ikare-Akoko, which some have proposed as an alternative, faces geographical limitations, poor land availability, and infrastructural challenges that would require huge investments to make it a viable capital. He pointed to past state creation documents and examples across Nigeria where capitals are not centrally located to buttress his claims.
The writer further recalled that previous attempts to site major institutions in Ikare-Akoko, such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), were unsuccessful due to low economic activity, before they were eventually relocated to Owo.
Quoting Socrates, Oladimeji urged his critics to focus on presenting well-researched arguments rather than resorting to “defamation and character assassination.” He insisted that the leadership of Owo/Ose and Akoko had already validated his work as factual and relevant.
> “Silence can be golden, but sometimes facts must be proclaimed for the sake of justice and truth,” he declared.
The debate on the proposed Ose State continues to stir strong reactions across Ondo North, with stakeholders sharply divided over where the capital should be located if the state is created
