Tension over plan by Akeredolu’s wife to impose council boss
The wife of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and the indigenes of the Odigbo community are on collision course over the appoint of a caretaker chairman for the newly established Odigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA.
According to sources, the First Lady had allegedly proposed
Eucharia Nwamara, the councillor representing Ore Ward, as the new caretaker
chairman.
However, this decision has been met with strong opposition
from the indigenous people of Odigbo, who said such would never be allowed in
their territory.
The residents expressed their vehement objection to the
appointment of Nwamara, stating that it is inappropriate for the First Lady to
impose a politician of Igbo extraction as the Caretaker Chairman of Odigbo
LCDA.
They called for a reconsideration of the appointment, urging
the government to prioritise the appointment of a caretaker chairman who is not
only familiar with the needs of the community but also respects its cultural
values and traditions.
In a gathering held at the palace of the Orunja of Odigbo
kingdom, Oba Rufus Adegboyega Akinrinmade, Adebusoye 1, and the Odigbo
residents, who voiced their concerns, argued that it would be an aberration for
their traditional rulers to take directives from a non-indigene appointed as
the Caretaker Chairman of the Council.
A former lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Mayowa
Akinfolarin had this to say: “We have this historic antecedent of ensuring
peace in our domain. We have told our youth to be peaceful.
“We are doing many things to ensure peace. We are telling
the First Lady that we love her and our neighbours. We are saying no to
anything that will tamper with the peace of this locality.”
On his part, the organising secretary of Ondo APC, Dr. Tunji
Moyero, said: “Our king cannot go to council to take orders from someone who is
not from here. If we refuse to fight, our children will fight. Everybody must
rise to this.
“We are begging the wife of the governor that if there is
anything in that regard, we have no other way, our youth are prepared. We are
fighting for what is legitimate.”
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 Igbo woman
communicate with us?” He queried.
Oba Akinrinmade advised his subjects to allow peace to reign
and also appealed to the First Lady not to jeopardise the peace in the community.
He stated that Nwamara visited him two weeks ago and claimed
she was in support of another person emerging as Caretaker Chairman, adding
that she told him she declined the offer when she was called.
When contacted, Nwamara said she had lived in Odigbo for
over 38 years and had helped to develop the community.
“I am a politician. Everything in life is an opportunity. I
did not know about any protest. I have lived in Odigbo for over 35 years. I
have helped with community development. I am also hearing rumours,” she stated.
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