—CPS Calls for Patience
By Miracle Ogunde
A group under the aegis of Irele People’s Alliance (IPA) in Irele local government area, has decried the one-sided nature of political appointments in the local government by governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The group, through its Secretary, Hon Sola Olaoluwa, in a statement on Friday, expressed dissatisfaction of the party leaders in the axis, stating that they are not encouraged to work as a result of the distribution of political appointments by the governor.
According to the group, only one of the two constituent zones in Irele LG has taken all the political appointments approved so far by Governor Aiyedatiwa and leaving the other zone (Ikale East LCDA) with nothing.
The group stated that the zone has always given its absolute loyalty to the party and has been of steady support to the Akeredolu’s administration from the beginning, noting that the zone had obviously paid its dues and has never deviated from the party.
The statement reads, “Irele local government is a combination of two political zones with ten political wards. Meanwhile, Irele zone II alone has more than six communities/kingdoms, including Iyansan, Ome, Akotogbo, Ijosun, Ajagba, among others, yet political leadership and positions are concentrated in Irele township alone.
“From Irele alone, the governor has appointed Mr Emmanuel Igbasan as Commissioner and also appointed Professor Simidele Odimayo and Summy Smart Francis as Special Advisers. Meanwhile, the incumbent member of the House of Representatives for Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency and incumbent Member of the House of Assembly are from Irele township.
“This cannot be justified under any circumstance and it is not acceptable to us. We call on Mr Governor to correct the anomaly in the interest of fairness and equity so that it doesn’t affect the commitment of the party members and leaders.” Olaoluwa said.
It added: “Our people are not happy that is the plain truth. Irele Zone II are traditional members of the All Progressives Congress with a long history of evident commitment and loyalty to the party. The way it is as at today, we are wondering if we are still being regarded as bonafide members of the party because it is obvious that we are being discriminated unjustly.
“Many of the party leaders may not want to tell the governor this truth but it is a fact that this is a serious grouse that our people hold against the governor at the moment. This imbalance has to be addressed before things get out of hand.”
Reacting, the Governor’s chief press secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, in a telephone chat with Starnews NG Correspondent debunked the allegation of marginalization.
In his words, “Marginalisation? Irele has the highest number of cabinet members with three out of the current 14? And with hundreds of appointments yet to be made?
He continued, “Rather ironic when state party leaders are complaining that the Governor has given too much to Irele. I advise they calm down and exercise patience”, he added.
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