Indigenes of Owo community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to pick his deputy from their community.
The indigenes, under the aegis of a socio-cultural group, the Imade Development Association, said if that is done, Aiyedatiwa’ll have honoured the memory of his late boss, who hailed from the town.
The group further argued that picking a deputy from Owo will serve as compensation for the untimely death of their prominent son, Akeredolu, who died recently in Germany after a long battle with prostate cancer.
The group, however, warned that if the request is neglected, the polarisation of the state along ethnic and political lines might continue to escalate.
It also expressed sadness over Akeredolu’s demise.
Chairman of IDA, Segun Ogunbadeniyi; Secretary, Femi Fadaisi, and the Publicity Secretary, Julius Adesola, maintained at a press conference that the community will continue to agitate that Aiyedatiwa picks an Owo indigene as hid deputy.
Ogunbadeniyi, who read the communiqué on behalf of the group, stressed that with the passing of Akeredolu, who hails from Owo, it is crucial to safeguard the interests and aspirations of the town.
He said, “In our opinion, the joint ticket that expires in February 2025 is Owo/Ilaje. We do not understand any calculations outside of it.
“Whoever picks the ticket of the APC or PDP next year can therefore decide which zone to produce the Deputy Governor.
“Any attempt to erase Owo from the calculation until February 2025 by Aiyedatiwa, in our opinion, is unfair, not equitable, and can cause division in body politics.”
The group maintained that there are prominent Owo indigenes that are capable of being deputy governors.
The names reeled out that should be considered for the position include Hon. Niran-Sule Akinsuyi, who the group said was in the trenches with Akeredolu during the 2016 elections; the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly; Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi; Mr. Zach Adetula; and Chief Jamiu Ekungba.
“Picking from this list will be a fair deal for all stakeholders. The current situation is a joint ticket between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa, which they assiduously worked for,” he added.