Protest Over Alleged Imposition Of LG Chairman

By Ayodele Oni

Wife of Ondo State Governor, Betty Akeredolu, is in the eyes of the storm. Some youths have taken her up, accusing her of attempting to install a Local Government Chairman.

Though, that office of First Lady is unrecognized by the Constitution, past and present occupiers of that office have been using it to touch on the lives of the people, especially women and the less priviledged. Mrs Akeredolu has not failed in this regard.

Presently some girls are in camp in Akure, an annual programme, initiated by the Ondo First Lady to develop and equip girls in the area of technology and other arts.

However when youths of Odigbo community staged a protest against the First Lady who is being accused of trying to install her kinswoman as chairperson of their Local Government, many saw the action as unnecessary and needless.

According to the report, youths of Odigbo community have kicked against her plan to impose a politician of Igbo extraction as Caretaker Chairman of the newly created Odigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

They claimed that they have received information that the First Lady has insisted that Hon Nwabara Eucharia be named as the new Caretaker Chairman.

Hon Nwabara is the incumbent Councillor representing Ore Ward in Odigbo Local Government before the creation of 33 LCDAs by the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The youths  took their protest to the Palace of Orunja of Odigbo kingdom, Oba Rufus Adegboyega Akinrinmade, Adebusoye 1.

According to them, it is an aberration for their Obas to be taking directive from a non-indigenous persons appointed as Caretake Chairman of the Council.

One of the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) stated that “We have this historic antecedent of ensuring peace in our domain. We have told our youths to be peaceful. We are doing many things to ensure peace. We are appealing to the First Lady that we love her and our neighbours.

“Our king cannot go to Council to take orders from someone who is not from here. If we refused to fight, our children will fight. Everybody must rise up to this. We are begging the wife of the Governor that if there is any pronouncement to that regard, we have no other way.”

A community leader, Femi Olafumiloye, said the action of the First Lady would disturb peace in the community.

“How can we start an LCDA with a total stranger as the first Caretaker Chairman. It is a passionate plea. She can rescind this decision. We cannot take it. Let our people be the chairman. How can an Ibo woman communicate to us.”

Oba Akinrinmade advised his subjects to allow peace to reign. The Monarch also appealed to the First Lady not to jeopardise the peace in the community.

He stated that Nwabara visited him two weeks ago and claimed she was in support of another person to emerge as Caretaker Chairman. Oba Akinrinmade said Nwabara told him she declined the offer when she was called.

When contacted, Nwabara said she has lived in Odigbo for over 38 years and has helped to develop the community.

“I am a politician. Everything in life is opportunity. I did not know about any protest. I have lived in Odigbo for over 35 years. I have helped in community development. I am also hearing rumour.”

Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has waded in appealing to the people of Ore/Odigbo in Odigbo Local Government to be calm and eschew any act that can lead to breakdown of law and order.

Aiyedatiwa made this appeal while addressing the people of Ore/Odigbo communities following their peaceful protest on the perceived imposition of caretaker chairman on the people of Odigbo Local Government at the front of Governor’s Office, Alagbaka Akure.

While speaking with the protesters, the Acting Governor acknowledged the peaceful manner the protesters conducted themselves as he thanked them for always supporting the government of Ondo State.

“You have done well by coming here to register your displeasure over the perceived or possible imposition of caretaker chairman in your Local Government, I must tell you that, this is just perception because Local Government election is not holding this year, it will hold next year according to Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission ( ODIEC ).

“Even when the tenure of the current chairman of council expires, it is the responsibility of government and the ruling party to appoint caretaker chairman, even at that, we will expect the leaders in the various local governments  make inputs into the appointments.”

He, therefore, enjoined the leaders from the communities to interface and engage with both the State Government and the ruling party for peace and harmony in the State.