….Youths ask Aiyedatiwa to correct the injustice and Appoint Ipogun indigene as Commissioner, since Ilara-Mokin had always produced Commissioner since 1999.
By: Our Reporter
A group of youths in Ifedore local government area of Ondo State has taken their protest to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, against what they described as injustice in sharing political offices and deliberate marginalisation of Ipogun/Ibule soro under Ilara-Mokin zone since 1999.
Ifedore local government has three strategic zones and powers are usually shared according to the three zones.
According to available records, Igbara-Oke zone has Igbara Oke town, Ishararun/Erigi and Ero/Ibuji/Mariwo
Ilara Zone has Ilara-Mokin town, Ipogun and Ibule, while the third zone, Ijare zone comprises of Ijare town, Irese, Ikota and Aaye.
However, in Ilara zone, Ilara-Mokin is alleged to be dominating all political offices zoned to the area leaving out Ipogun and Ibule.
While speaking with newsmen on behalf of the youths under the auspices of Ipogun youths in politics (APC), the Youth Leader, Mr Fagoroye Awolehin, lamented that since 1999 Ilara town has always been marginalising Ipogun/Ibule whenever political offices were zoned to the area.
Fagoroye Awolehin lamented that “Commissioner’s appointment since 1999 in ifedore local government, from Adefarati regime in1999, we had Dr. Adegbenro Wahab from Ilara Mokin town, under Agagu regime 2003, Hon. Bamidele Osakuade from Ilara Mokin town again was made the Commissioner, coming under Mimiko regime, Engr. Gboye Adegbenro from Ilara Mokin again was appointed Commissioner. Under Akeredolu regime in 2017, Dr Wahab Adegbenro from Ilara Mokin and after his death, Engr. Rasaq Obe also from Ilara Mokin town was the commissioner from the area in the last four years, even under the Aiyedatiwa regime.
“Dr Bosede OSAMAYE, Mr Governor’s Special Adviser; Barr. Awoseye Collins who is the Secretary to Ifedore local government and the Leader of the legislative arm of the local government, are also from Ilara Mokin.
“Also, federal and state Board members who were appointed from Ilara zone, all are from Ilara-Mokin town, leaving out Ipogun to suffer heavy marginalization. Take for instance; Dr. Adelusi Obey, member UNIMED; Rt. Hon. Ayo Agbonmuseri, member Federal University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Femi Bakare, Governing Council member, federal Polytechnic, Delta and Dr. Bosede Osamaye, Governing Council member, Federal college of Education, Okene, are all from Ilara-Mokin town.
“What is our offence in Ipogun and Ibule that Ilara Mokin refused to allow us enjoy political offices despite voting massively for the APC always, and as I am talking to you, no political appointee from Ipogun.
“From the inception of democracy Ipogun has always produced highest of votes for all the Governors from Adefarati till Aiyedatiwa. Last election Ipogun/Ibule gave Governor Aiyedatiwa highest votes, no ward gave such high number of votes (2,125 votes) in the whole Ifedore local government.
“The injustice is too much in Ilara zone. Ipogun has always been marginalized by Ilara-Mokin, when it comes to political appointment.
“Ipogun youths in politics under APC are therefore begging our Governor, Hon Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to intervene and correct this aged long injustice and unacceptable marginalization. We demand that the next Commissioner from Ifedore (under Ilara zone) should come from Ipogun. It is not too much for Ilara Mokin people to concede the Commissioner to Ipogun since 1999.
“We worked for it during the governorship election. We appeal to Governor Aiyedatiwa to remember his promise to us before election, he said “political appointment will be done base on what you gave as votes”, the youth leader said.
