Protest rocks Ondo as Akoko people reject creation of LCDAs

Prominent Sons and Daughters of Akoko area of Ondo State under the umbrella of the Akoko Consultative Forum (ACF) today staged a peaceful protest to draw the attention of the world to the marginalisation of the area by the Ondo State Government in the creation of 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

Addressing a Press Conference in Akure, the President of the Forum Pa Rogbitan Lawrence Ibukun, an Octogenarian, described the creation of 9 LCDAs in 4 Akoko local governments and 8 LDCAs from just two local governments of Owo and Ose.

Pa Rogbitan flanked by other leaders and members of the group, such as former State NLC Chairman, Comrade Momodu Braimoh, said “the implication and intending fallout of the purported exercise is aimed at subjugating , marginalizing and killing Akoko politically and put the Akokos in perpetual bondage in the scheme of things compare to Owo and Ose within the same Ondo North Senatorial District .

“We are bold to say capital NO. This is not acceptable to Akokos . Enough is Enough ! O to ge !!

“OTHER IDENTIFIED AREAS OF UNFAIR TREATMENT OF AKOKOS include but not limited to: (a) Ondo State government neglect of our ROADS in Akokoland
(b) unfairness in the upgraded Obaship position in Ondo State in recent time amongst others.

“OUR DEMANDS: As much as we support Ondo State government’s vision and mission to create new LCDAs in Ondo State, we demand for 16 LCDAs in Akoko as follows:
(a) Akoko North East – 4 LCDAs
(b) Akoko North West – 4 LCDAs
(c) Akoko South East – 3 LCDAs
(d) Akoko South West – 5 LCDAs

“Requesting Ondo State government to complete Ikare – Ajowa Road and interface on Akungba- Oka – Ishua – Ibilo Road. Also , Owo-Ikare Road requires Ondo State intervention.

“Upgrading of our deserving Obas in Akoko to Grade A as it was done in others zones.

“We urge our sons and daughters in government to continue to do their work diligently as we are noted for and we urge our people at home to remain calm until JUSTICE is seen to have
been done in our case.

“Ondo State belong to all of us and we shall strive harder to lift her up even at the face of provocation,” Pa Rogbitan said.

Also speaking, a prominent son of Akoko, Pharmacist Samuel Adekola expressed optimism that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who is a man of fairness, would address the marginalisation of Akoko in the LCDA creation.