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…Demand equitable share of political appointments
From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Youths in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State have decried the alleged political marginalization of the area at both the state and federal levels.
To this end the youths under the aegis of Concerned Youths of Akoko North West have demanded an equitable share of political appointments from the state Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
In an open letter addressed to Governor Aiyedatiwa and signed by Adefemi Adamu Elegbeleye, Afinjuomo Oladimeji Stephen and Fagbuyi Ojo, the youths called on the state Governor to be fair to the area in sharing political appointments.
The youths who complained about sidelining of the Local Government Area in the current political dispensation, also demanded for a comprehensive review of political appointments given to the Local Government Area by the current administration.
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The letter reads in part “we condemn the deliberate sidelining of Constituency two which comprises of Irun, Ogbagi, Ese, and Afin. High profile federal and state positions have been disproportionately monopolized by Constituency one which comprises of Arigidi and Okeagbe among others.
“This lopsided pattern flagrantly contravenes the Federal Character Principle and it erodes the sacred tenets of equity and deprives loyal APC foot soldiers in Constituency two of their rightful dividends of democracy.
“The dominance of constituency one is starkly evident. it has secured the House of Representatives seat twice consecutively (Hon. Bunmi Tunji Ojo followed by Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero), alongside an avalanche of ministerial and board appointments that mock the ethos of balanced representation.
“Those holding political positions at different levels from the constituency include Hon. Bunmi Tunji Ojo, the Minister of Interior, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, the Minister of State for Finance, Obanla Kehinde, the APC Local Government party chairman, Hon. Nathaniel Adojutelegan, Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero Member, House of Representatives (Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency) and Hon. Elder Akande, the Commissioner for Water Resources in the state.
“Others include Hon. Tunji Abayomi , the Chairman, Governing Council, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Hon. Muyiwa Asagunla, Board member, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and Hon. Tokunbo Kayode, the Chairman, Commerce and Industry,” the youths added.
The group implored the Governor and the leadership of the party in the state to prioritize Constituency two in the next appointment at the state level and nominations for federal appointments.
“We stand unwaveringly committed to the APC’s triumph, but the insidious “winner takes all” paradigm favouring one constituency must be dismantled forthwith to galvanize enduring grassroots allegiance across our Local Government,” the group stressed.y
