The youths in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Saturday, protested against the alleged plan by some persons in the state government to impose Mrs. Eucharia Nwamara as the pioneer chairman of the newly created Local Council Development Areas in the area.
The Odigbo youths marched to the palace of the town to protest, also they said that some powerful members of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration planned to impose Nwamara, from Imo State, on them.
They claimed that Nwamara is an Igbo and an associate of the state governor’s wife, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. They said the plan to impose Nwaayu would not work and is not permitted in their new Local government area (LCDA).
The community leader, Mr. Femi Olafumiloye, who is one of the protesters said the alleged plan to impose an Igbo politician as the chairman of the new LCDA would be a source of tension and conflict in the community.
He said, “How can we start an LCDA with a total stranger as the first caretaker chairman? It is a passionate plea. They can rescind this decision. We cannot take it. Let our people be the chairman. How can an Igbo woman communicate with us.”
Another protester, who is identified as Adeyemi, 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. Our youths are prepared. We are fighting for what is legitimate.”
The former House of Representatives member and indigene of the community, Mr. Mayowa Akinfolarin, appealed to the youths to be calm and trust that the issue would be resolved peacefully.
“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,” the former lawmaker stated.
Addressing the issue, the monarch of Odigbo Kingdom, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, urged the youths to give peace a chance and in order to make relative peace, noting that unity remained a bedrock to the socioeconomic growth of any society.
The monarch urged those in government to do something concerning the issue in order for the peace in the community and nor to cause anything that would jeopardize the peace that is in the community.
Nwamara reacted to this, she said, “I am a politician. Everything in life is opportunity. I did not know about any protests. I have lived in Odigbo for over 35 years. I have helped in community development. I am also hearing a rumuor.”