Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how Ijebu leaders lobbied the then Head of State, the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, to designate Sagamu as the capital of Ogun State when it was created in February 1976. Punch reports.
Obasanjo, speaking 49 years after the creation of the state, disclosed that the Ijebu leaders argued against Abeokuta being chosen as the state capital, citing land constraints.
He made this revelation at the induction ceremony and Gala Night of the Egba Legacy Network, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
The former President recounted his encounter with Gen. Mohammed, saying, “When we wanted to establish Ogun State, our brothers from Ijebu did their exercise very well. They said we don’t have land, and they campaigned against making Abeokuta the state capital. When we got to the discussion table, they proposed Sagamu instead.
“This place we call Ogun State, before 1932, it was named Abeokuta Province, including Ijebu. When Ijebu Province was to be established, it was DO that was in Ijebu.
“They said we don’t have land, that was why it is called Abeokuta. My boss, Murtala Mohammed, had been briefed and agreed that Sagamu should be the state capital. He said, ‘We are going that way.’ But I told him, ‘Since we are going to have Kano State, then Rago should be the capital of Kano.’”
Obasanjo said this response angered Murtala Mohammed, who lashed out at him.
“He attacked me, saying, ‘How dare you?’ And I said, ‘How dare you too?’ That was how we ended the discussion.”
Obasanjo urged the Egba Legacy Network to document Abeokuta’s rich history and ensure that key figures in the development of Egbaland are recognised in their heritage tourism project.
He emphasised that Abeokuta’s proximity to Lagos should be leveraged to turn the ancient city into a major tourist attraction.
Earlier, the Osi Apagunpote of Egbaland and Chairman of the Egba Legacy Network, Chief Lai Labode Jnr, charged new inductees to work towards the beautification and development of Abeokuta.
Labode explained that the group aimed to preserve the culture, traditions, and history of Egbaland while celebrating past and present heroes.
Among the projects planned is the Egba History and Heritage Area, which will feature statues of iconic Egba personalities, including Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, Prof. Saburi Biobaku, Madam Efunroye Tinubu, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Chief Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chief MKO Abiola, Ayinla Omowura, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Labode highlighted Ibara GRA, Oke-Mosan-Kobape Expressway, and Alake Palace as areas that will witness the first phase of the transformation.
He explained that the Egba Legacy Network, founded 18 months ago, consists of professionals committed to uniting Egba sons and daughters across the world to drive socioeconomic development.
