There is palpable tension as youths in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Saturday, are protesting the alleged plan by the state government to impose Mrs Eucharia Nwamara, an Igbo woman as the pioneer chairman of the newly-created Local Council Development Areas in the area.
The youths who converged on the palace of the town, accused some powerful members in the state government of plotting to impose Nwamara from Imo State on them.
While declaring that Nwamara is an Igbo associate of the wife of the state governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the protesters vowed that the plan to impose her (Nwamara) would not be permitted for the new LCDA.
A community leader, Mr Femi Olafumiloye, lamented the plan to impose an Igbo politician as caretaker chairman of the new LCDA, noting that it would disturb peace in the community.
“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 one of our people be the chairman. How can an Igbo woman communicate with us”, he said.
One of the protesters known as Adeyemi, said the plan to impose the Igbo woman is an aberration in the politics of the community, declaring that the residents would not accept it.
In his words:
“Our king cannot go to council to take orders from someone who is not from here. If we refuse to fight, our children will fight. Everybody must rise up against this. Our youths are prepared. We are fighting for what is legitimate.”
The traditional ruler of Odigbo Kingdom, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade, while reacting to the protest, advised the youths to sheathe their swords but appealed to the government to reconsider the decision.
Nwamara in her reaction said that she had lived in the community for 35 years.
“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 rumour,” she said.
The Ondo State House of Assembly recently passed the LCDA Bill into law to create new LCDAs from the existing 18 local governments in the state.
