1st September, 2023
By Aderemi Bamgbose
Some indigenes of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo have said there is nothing wrong with the appointment of Kolade Akinjo, a member of Peoples Democratic Party into the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu on Aug. 29 approved the appointment of 17 board members of the NDDC, including Ifedayo Abegunde Executive Director and Akinjo as state representative, both from Ondo State
The appointment of of Akinjo, a PDP stalwart and immediate past member, representing Ilaje/Ese -Odo Federal Constituency into NDDC Board by President Tinubu has resulted in disenchantment among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Ondo and other parts of the country.
The APC members complained that the Tinubu overlooked them while giving appointments to those who were against election as President.
A video showing Akinjo deriding Tinubu at a campaign event preparatory to the February 25, 2023 presidential election has been circulating on the social media.
But the Igbokoda indigenes in a solidarity walk obviously organised to counter the controversies trailing the appointment of Friday in Igbokoda described the move by Tinubu as part of the President’s promise of building a government of national unity.
Some of those who spoke to journalists during the solidarity walk said Akinjo deserved the appointment, being a good representative of the people.
They also said that the agitators over the appointment should sheath their swords.
According to them, Akinjo is from the mandated oil producing area of Ilaje/Ese-Odo LGA.
Mr Femi Akinlo, former leader of PDP in Ilaje LGA, said that Akinjo deserved the appointment despite being in an opposition party.
“He is a grassroots mobiliser who has impacted meaningfully in the lives of the downtrodden in his constituency.
“Tinubu’s stance on government of unity devoid of partisan politics is commendable, this is based on Akinjo’s appointment. I think it is a good development to move the country forward,” he said.
Mrs Lucy Ojajuni, Women Leader in Ilaje LGA, also said Akinjo’s appointment was a reflection of his good deeds and representation to the people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Constituency.
“Women in Ilaje thank Tinubu for appointing our son, it’s a well deserved appointment. Akinjo has served the people and needs to be compensated, let us all support him,” Ojajuni said.
An APC member from Ese-Odo LGA, Temitope Olowolayemo, supported the appointment.
“Akinjo is a son of the soil, he deserves the appointment and of course from the mandate area of oil production. I think agitators should sheath their swords, so that we can move forward in this state and country,” Olowolayemo said.
The indigenes staged a solidarity walk from College Road, through Naval Base Road to Sabo junction in Igbokoda, Ilaje LGA.
Efforts to speak with Mr Goke Jatuwase, an APC stalwart and immediate past chairman of Ilaje LGA over the matter proved abortive, as his mobile phone was not reachable and message sent to his phone was not replied.
(NAN)
BAA/OCU/