Ogun group laments marginalization, urges Gov Abiodun to zone LG chairmanship to Ado-Odo/Igbesa

A group under the aegis of Coalition of Ado-Odo /Igbesa Indigenous Youths has lamented what the group described as “the longstanding dominance of the Ota axis in the running of the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area at the expense of the people of Ado-Odo/Igbesa zone.”

The election of the chairmanship of the LGA should have been rotating between the two areas of Ota and Ado-Odo/Igbesa that make up the council area, if fairness and equity were to be the watchwords in the recruitment of leadership for the LGA, the group noted,

To correct the imbalance, the Coalition has, therefore, urged the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to ensure that the chairmanship ticket is zoned to Ado-Odo/Igbesa in the forthcoming local government election.,

In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Temitope Ayobami Taiwo and made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the Coalition lamented: “Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, the Ado-Odo/Igbesa State Constituency has had minimal representation in the local government council, with only two instances, Musefiu Olatunji Lamidi and Abayomi Tella

“This contrasts starkly with the Ota axis, which has enjoyed prolonged dominance, as evidenced by the tenures of Late Dr. Salami, elected , Rotimi Rahmon, elected and Wasiu Lawal as a caretaker committee Chairman, among others. Most recently, the election of Sheriff Musa Adewale as the incumbent chairman further solidified this imbalance.

“The Ado-Odo/Igbesa state constituency has also suffered from unequal distribution of developmental projects and resources.

“Under Sherif Adewale Musa’s leadership, 12 projects were commissioned, with only two allocated to the Ado-Odo/Igbesa State Constituency Area one at Alapoti ward and the other at Lusada.

“This striking disparity underscores the urgent need for a more balanced approach in resource allocation, ensuring that all constituencies benefit equally from the dividends of democracy.

“Community leaders and citizens are now collectively urging Governor Dapo Abiodun and other party leaders to acknowledge the gravity of the situation.

“We appeal that the the LG chairmanship candidate for the upcoming council polls should be nominated from Ado-Odo/Igbesa. This would not only help address past inequities but also pave the way for a more inclusive and representative local government.”