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Former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has kicked against calls for the creation of new states in the country, saying that it would undermine development.
Speaking to journalists at his home on Thursday during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Ladoja stated that funds to manage such new states are unavailable with the current economic recession in th country occasioned by falling global oil price.
According to him, it is even more reasonable for states that cannot sustain themselves in the present economic conditions to merge with the viable ones to survive instead of creating more states.
He also warned the government to diversify from oil to agriculture which he said is the most sustainable economic sector in the world.
He regretted that people have abandoned agriculture which was a thing of pride in the past, and resorted to begging and illicit activities like kidnappings, robbery, and other crimes.
the Ashipa Olubadan also took a moment to comment on the administration of the present governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to Ladoja, Oyo State is facing financial difficulties because “the state government is spending money on unnecessary projects that are not sustainable”.