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In what has become a burgeoning dispute, the wife of Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has found herself at odds with the indigenes of Odigbo community over the appointment of a caretaker chairman for the newly established Odigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA). The tension has escalated due to the nomination of Eucharia Nwamara, a councillor representing Ore Ward, for the coveted position.
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Sources indicate that Mrs. Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s proposal of Nwamara as the caretaker chairman has sparked an outcry among the indigenous population of Odigbo. The community members vehemently oppose the idea of having a politician of Igbo extraction lead the LCDA, citing cultural values and traditions as the prime reasons for their resistance.
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The residents’ collective objection to Nwamara’s nomination has taken the form of a demand for a reconsideration of the appointment. They insist that the leadership position should be entrusted to an individual who is both well-acquainted with the community’s needs and dedicated to preserving its cultural heritage.
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A significant gathering convened at the palace of Oba Rufus Adegboyega Akinrinmade, Adebusoye 1, brought together the traditional ruler and Odigbo residents. During this assembly, community members vocalized their concerns, articulating that appointing a non-indigene as the Caretaker Chairman of the Council would challenge the local traditional hierarchy.
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Former House of Representatives member, Mayowa Akinfolarin, emphasized the importance of maintaining peace within the community and urged residents to seek peaceful resolution. Akinfolarin stressed the need to avoid any actions that could potentially disturb the region’s long-standing tranquility.
Dr. Tunji Moyero, the organizing secretary of Ondo APC, shared the sentiment that the community should unite to safeguard their traditional values. Moyero appealed to the governor’s wife, emphasizing that their stance was driven by the desire to uphold what is just and lawful.
Femi Olafumiloye, a community leader, conveyed his apprehensions over the potential disruption that Nwamara’s appointment might bring to the community’s harmony. Olafumiloye questioned the wisdom of appointing a stranger to such a significant leadership role and raised concerns about effective communication between the newly appointed chair and the community.
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Oba Akinrinmade, while counseling his subjects to prioritize peace, also appealed to Mrs. Anyanwu-Akeredolu to consider the potential ramifications of her decision. He disclosed that Nwamara had earlier conveyed her support for another candidate and even declined the initial offer to become Caretaker Chairman.
In response, Nwamara defended her credentials, asserting her extensive involvement in the community’s development over the course of more than three decades. She highlighted her political experience and framed her potential leadership role as an opportunity to contribute positively to the community.
As the debate rages on, the people of Odigbo are grappling with the balance between tradition and change, as well as the preservation of their local identity amidst evolving leadership dynamics. Whether the clash will be resolved through dialogue and compromise or escalate into further conflict remains to be seen.
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