The appointment of Caretaker Committees for the newly established Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ondo State has sparked significant controversy. The latest community to express its dissatisfaction is Araromi Obu in the Southern Senatorial District of the state, which recently staged a protest against the individuals appointed to lead the LCDA. The youths of the community vehemently opposed the appointment of Olarewaju Makinde and Giwa Rasheed as the chairman and vice chairman of the LCDA, citing their non-indigene status as a point of contention.
According to the community’s youth president, Adesanoye Akinbinu, the nomination and appointment of individuals who are not indigenes of the community failed to uphold the principles of fairness to Araromi-Obu as the host community and the native inhabitants. Akinbinu decried the appointment of non-indigenes as the pioneer chairman and vice chairman, emphasizing that such a decision sets a detrimental precedent for the LCDA.
“We were greatly dismayed by the announcement of Mr. Olarewaju Makinde and Mr. Giwa Rasheed as the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the Ifesowapo Local Council Development Authority. We unequivocally express our discontent and rejection of these individuals due to their nomination and appointment, which clearly disregard the principle of fairness to Araromi-Obu as the host community and its indigenes.”
The protests in Araromi Obu highlight the deep-seated concerns and discontentment surrounding the appointment of individuals to lead the newly created LCDAs in Ondo State. The clash of interests between the authorities and the host communities underscores the need for a thorough and inclusive approach to the appointment of caretaker committees, ensuring that the spirit of fairness and representation is upheld.
As the controversy rages on, it remains to be seen how the authorities will address the grievances raised by the community while navigating the complex landscape of local governance and representation in Ondo State.
