The purported appointment of a non-indigene, Nwamara Eucharia, as the caretaker chairman of Odigbo Local Council Development Area of Ondo State, on Tuesday ignited a protest by the residents.
Armed with placards of various inscriptions, the protesters in their numbers, besieged the Governor’s Office in Alagbaka, where they vowed to reject the alleged imposition.
Read some of the inscriptions: “Ada Owerre don’t impose Ada Amuzu on us”; ‘We have more competent people in Odigbo”; “Betty, take your sister to Imo State”; “Betty, don’t set Odigbo ablaze”; “Don’t pitch us against our Ibo neighbours”; “No justice, no peace” and “We are peace loving people in Odigbo”.
Led by Jimmy Akinyon, the protesters voiced their opposition to the alleged imposition of Nwamara as the Caretaker Chairman.
Akinyon emphasised that Nwamara had served as a councillor for Ore Ward for more than six years, and therefore, the people of the area would not tolerate a non-indigene taking charge of the local council.
The protesters believed that the appointment of a non-indigene would undermine the aspirations and welfare of the Odigbo community.
The residents expressed their concerns regarding the potential imposition of a candidate and called for a transparent and merit-based appointment process.
They held that a competent individual who genuinely represents the interests of the Odigbo community should be appointed.
The protesters urged the government to prioritise the welfare and well-being of the residents by considering their opinions and aspirations in the appointment of the caretaker chairman.
Addressing the protesters, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, acting governor of the state, emphasised that the government held the authority to appoint any individual as the Caretaker Chairman.
Stated he: “What you have perceived is an appointment. A caretaker chairman is like an appointment. What people do to get appointments is lobby, either through the party or the government. I want to urge you to lobby the government and the party”.
