Residents of Owo community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, the hometown of the late ex-Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, have made an appeal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The residents, organized under the Imade Development Association (IDA), a socio-cultural group, have urged Aiyedatiwa to choose his deputy from Owo in order to pay tribute to his late predecessor.
The IDA emphasized that such a decision would be a fitting compensation for the untimely demise of Akeredolu, who recently passed away in Germany after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. Expressing sorrow over Akeredolu’s death, the group warned that neglecting this request might exacerbate the polarization of the state along ethnic and political lines.
During a press briefing, the IDA leaders—Chairman Segun Ogunbadeniyi, Secretary Femi Fadaisi, and Publicity Secretary Julius Adesola—asserted that the community would persist in its demand until Aiyedatiwa selects a deputy from Owo. Ogunbadeniyi stressed the importance of safeguarding Owo’s interests and aspirations following Akeredolu’s demise.
The group insisted that the joint ticket set to expire in February 2025 is designated for Owo/Ilaje. They challenged any deviation from this arrangement and cautioned against excluding Owo from political considerations until the specified date, as it could lead to division in the state’s political landscape.
The IDA proposed several capable Owo indigenes for the deputy governor position, including Hon. Niran-Sule Akinsuyi, who had supported Akeredolu during the 2016 elections; the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi; Mr. Zach Adetula; and Chief Jamiu Ekungba. The group argued that choosing from this list would be equitable and fair to all stakeholders, given the collaborative efforts of Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa in securing the joint ticket.
