Ondo community of Araromi Obu, in the present Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, has rejected the appointment of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the newly created Ifesowapo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The youths and leaders of the community who protested and kicked against the appointment of Olarewaju Makinde and Mr. Giwa Rasheed as the chairman and vice chairman of the LCDA respectively, said they are not Indigenes of the community
Speaking during a press conference, the youth President of the community, Comrade Adesanoye Akinbinu, stated that the nomination and appointment of the two officials failed to reflect the spirit of fairness to Araromi-Obu as the host community and the indigenes of the town.
According to Akinbinu, the appointment of non-indigenes as pioneer chairman and vice chairman of the LCDA would be a bad precedent if allowed to stay.
The Youths President disclosed that they had adopted diplomatic approach in settling the issue when the names of the chairman and his deputy were suggested and were promised the duo would be dropped.
He appealed to the state government following its interest of fairness, justice and considering its indelible antecedents in the fight against injustice in the state.
He said replacing the two political office holders would ensure a peaceful take off of the new local council and subsequent symbolic working relationship with the community.
He said: “First of all, we want to use this opportunity to express our gratitude to his Excellency Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for considering our community (Araromi-Obu) to be included as the headquarters of the newly created Local Council Development Authority. We are indeed very grateful Sir.
“However, we received with great shock the announcement of Mr. Olarewaju Makinde and Mr. Giwa Rasheed as the chairman and vice chairman respectively of the said Ifesowapo Local Council Development Authority.
“We respectively express our outright displeasure and rejection of the two individual because their nomination and appointment does not reflect the spirit of fairness to Araromi-Obu as the host community and the indigenes of the town.
“Mr. Governor, it would interest you to know that this appointment is considered a slap, insult.and embarrassment on the face of an average indigene of Araromi-Obu, considering the fact that the council is newly created thus having non indigene as the pioneer head in the administration of the council negate the spirit of fairness and sense of belonging as indigene of a community like ours should enjoy.
“Furthermore, their appointment is considered as insult to the collective sensibility and it is set to.deepen the age long conspiracy against the interest of our community if not rescinded. To this extent we reject them also the gods of our land reject them.
“On this basis, considering the afore-stated reasons and in other to have a peaceful take-off of the new local council and subsequent symbolic working relationship with the community.
“We demand as a matter of saliency, necessity and urgency the withdrawal of Mr. Olarewaju Makinde as the chairman of the caretaker committee of Ifesowapo Local Council Authority and replace it with an indigene of Araromi-Obu in the interest of fairness and justice and considering your indelible antecedents in the fight against injustice in our national life.
“Conclusively, while we await your prompt consideration of our demand, we want to assure you of our continuous and unwavering support for your administration and the newly created council. Thanks you in anticipation for your speedy and favourable consideration of our request.”
Continuing, Akinbinu added that: “We took step of approaching community leaders who assured us that at the political level, it’s been considered and an Araromi-Obu indigenes would be appointed as chairman and vice chairman of the LCDA.
“Having a non-indigene as pioneer chairman of the LCDA would serve as a bad precedent.”
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