The wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredoluhas been accused of imposing an interim chairman in the newly created Odigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The state House of Assembly recently passed a bill creating 33 LCDAs out of the 18 existing local government areas in the state.
Interim committees will be appointed to run the LCDAs pending council elections.
However, community leaders in the Odigbo LCDA have said that Ms Anyanwu-Akeredolu has personally chosen one Eucharia Nwamara as interim chairperson of the new council.
Ms Nwamara is the current councilor representing Ore Ward, the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the former Odigbo LGA. Mrs. Nwamara is Igbo like the Governor’s wife.
A former lawmaker who represented the area in the House of Representatives called the plan an affront to indigenous people in the area.
“We are saying no to everything that disturbs the peace of this town,” said the former federal deputy who does not want his name to be mentioned for fear of being victimized.
The organizing secretary of the ruling APC in the state, Tunji Moyero, is also unhappy with the development.
He recalled that Ms. Anyanwu-Akeredolu cried against injustice when she lost the APC senatorial primary in Imo state last year.
Mr. Moyero, who is from the Odigbo LCDA, said it is improper to appoint a non-indigenous as the first president of the council.
“Our king cannot go to the council to receive orders from someone who is not from here. If we refuse to fight, our children will fight,” he said.
“Everyone has to live up to this. We are begging the governor’s wife that if there is any pronouncement in this regard, we have no choice. Our youth are ready. We are fighting for what is legitimate.”
A community leader, Femi Olafumiloye, said that Ms. Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s alleged action would disturb the peace of the community.
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“How can we start an LCDA with a total stranger as the first acting president? It is a passionate plea. She can rescind this decision. We can’t take it. Let our people be the president. How can an Ibo woman communicate with us?” Mr. Olafumiloye said.
When contacted, Ms. Nwamara said that she had lived in Odigbo for more than 35 years and had contributed to the development of the community.
“I am a politician. Everything in life is opportunity. I didn’t know of any protests,” he said.
“I have lived in Odigbo for more than 35 years. I have helped in the development of the community. I’m also hearing rumors.”
However, the spokesperson for the governor’s wife, Tobiloba Fadeyi, said the accusations against Ms Akeredolu were unfounded.
“She’s in Germany right now taking care of her husband, that’s what she’s focused on and she doesn’t have time to get involved in who becomes president of LCDA,” he said.
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