Youths of Odigbo community have kicked against plan by the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, to impose a politician of Ibo 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 youth 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.
A former lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Mayowa Akinfolarin, appealed to youth in the area to be calm over the matter
“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.
He said, “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.”
