Residents of Odigbo and Ore in Odigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ondo State staged a protest in Akure on Tuesday against the alleged plot to appoint an Igbo politician, Nwamara Eucharia, as the caretaker chairman of the LCDA.
The protesters accused the governor’s wife, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, of trying to impose Nwamara on them, despite her lack of popularity and competence. They said Nwamara had served as councillor for Ore Ward for over six years, even though she lost the primary election.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “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 Igbo neighbours”, “No justice, no peace”, “We are peace loving people in Odigbo.”
They marched to the Alagbaka Governor’s Office where they blocked the gate and sang solidarity songs.
The leader of the protesters, Akinyon Jimmy, said they wanted the state government to respect their choice and not announce Nwamara as the caretaker chairman of Odigbo LCDA. He said they had nothing against the Igbo people, but they would not accept an imposed leader.
He said, “We want the state government not to allow the governor’s wife, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, to impose Nwamara on us as the caretaker chairman of Odigbo LCDA. She is not from our area and she does not have our interest at heart.
“In 2016, Nwamara was imposed on us as supervisory councillor for Ore Ward, even though she came last in the election. When other supervisory councillors were removed, Nwamara retained her seat. She was later imposed as the substantive councillor after she lost the primary election.
“The people of Odigbo can decide who will be their leader. We will not allow her to be part of the government in Odigbo.”
Addressing the protesters, Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the government had the right to appoint anybody as a caretaker chairman.
He urged the protesters to lobby the government for their preferred candidate to be appointed, rather than taking to the streets to protest. He also appealed for calm and peace among the residents of Odigbo LCDA.
