25th August, 2011
In what seems like a clear danger which may threaten the coming local government poll in Lagos State, youths and community leaders in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of the state have moved to boycott the election as a result of that they called planned imposition of a controversial candidate on the community.
The angry youths operating under the aegis of Ejigbo Youths Network (EYO.NET) and some Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders stormed the ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja corporate headquarters of P.M. NEWS yesterday, to stage a peaceful protest against what they described as “reckless imposition, travesty of justice and democratic principles of good governance in Ejigbo council.
According to a community leader, Chief O. Adewoyin, the recent declaration for second term bid by the council’s chairman and ACN rubber-stamp is an ill wind and desperate machinery to destabilise the party structure and development in the area.
“We have taken urgent steps to raise alarm and mobilise our right-thinking youths and community leaders to stop this mindless, orchestrated propaganda by the discredited ACN leadership in Ejigbo, to foist an unpopular, self-seeking candidate on us for a second term in office.
“It is of utmost concern to us in Ejigbo and Ijanland that there has been no concrete proof and verifiable dividends of democracy despite the overwhelming support for the outgoing chairman, who has become a thorn in the flesh by polarising the ACN structure in Ejigbo and inflicting pains and agony on our political leaders including Baba Idowu as well as desecrating Oba Morufu Ojoola, the Ojon of Ejigbo and Ijanland.
“The Ejigbo Youths Network had code named their operation Nonviolent Routing of the Devil, to resist every clandestine plan to give the outgoing chairman an automatic ticket at the ACN screening of candidates, which they said, may be a sham.
“We therefore appeal to the ACN leadership and particularly our members in Ejigbo to raise their voices and campaign against the evil forces militating against the enforcement of the true spirit and letters of our nascent democracy. Popular representation constitutes a strong pillar for democracy all over the world and local government election should not be an exception.
Our appeal also goes to the national leadership of our great party to please step into this matter as any act of imposition perpetrated under the guise of automatic ticket is tantamount to grandstanding and oppressive tendency which is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience. We have suffered enough under-representation at various levels and equitable distribution of infrastructure in Ejigbo LCDA.â€
The youths, over 20 in number carried placards with various inscriptions, saying they are ready for the planned demonstration scheduled for Saturday in Ejigbo to reinforce their political awareness and grassroots mobilisation for the forthcoming local government election.