Show of shame as Deji of Akure’s aides distrupt LCDA Public hearing over Isinkan

In what could be described as a show of shame, some individuals suspected to be supporters of the Deji of Akure attempt to stop the Iralepo of Isikan, Oba Olugbenga Ojo, from making his presentation at the public hearing on the proposed creation of Local Council Development Areas organised by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

The event held in the International culture and event centre in Akure, on Thursday was to allow traditional rulers, other community leaders, as well as government officials have inputs and brainstorm on the document which will finally give credence to the creation of the thirty-three local council development areas to complement the existing eighteen local government areas in Ondo state.

The peaceful took a dramatic turn when the persons identified as aides of the Deji instigated a handful of street urchins to disrupt the well-organised event by allegedly asking thugs to prevent the Iralepo of Isinkan from presenting a memorandum on behalf of communities across Isinkan land.

The situation prompted scores of youths from communities in Isinkan to rise in defense of the traditional ruler and It also took the intervention of the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly and security personnel to restore normalcy after about twenty minutes. The Speaker insisted that the royal father must have his say on behalf of his community.

The move according to stakeholders is in furtherance of efforts to prevent the recognition of Isinkan as an autonomous community with a clear history of traditional institution in Ondo State.

Addressing the gathering, the Iralepo, Oba Ojo thanked the state governor for the creation of LCDA across the state and in his domain.

He said: “We the people of Isinkan land and the communities, villages and farm settlements across Isinkan land are immensely grateful to the government of Ondo State under the able leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN and Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa as well as members of the Ondo State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji and the Deputy Speaker Prince Abayomi Akinruntan for their wisdom in rectifying an agelong suppression through the making of Isinkan town the Headquarters of the proposed Akure West LCDA. Thank you.“
He however sought the magnanimity of the government to permanently correct the issue of identity by changing the name of the proposed LCDA to either Isinkan or Isokan LCDA.

“You can see a sample of what the peaceful people of Isinkan have been enduring here today. My Distinguished Honourables, sequel to extensive consultations with our people in Isinkan and its adjoining communities, villages and farm settlements, we wish to sincerely convey our delight with the naming of Isinkan as the Headquarters of the new LCDA. We however also wish to respectfully propose the following alternative nomenclatures as the name of the LCDA: Proposed Option I – Ìsìnkàn LCDA Propose Option II – Ìsòkan LCDA. Isinkan means one worship. Isokan means unity. This is our primary identity. We are not quarrelsome people. We are peace lovers. We plead with you to give us an identity that reflects our history, tradition and heritage. Every inch of land in the areas earmarked is Isinkan land. More importantly, it is for identity. We all bear Ondo State today yet, it does not mean that we are all from Ekimogun”, he said.
Reacting, the speaker warned that the state government would not hesitate to cancel the creation of any LCDA in any community or local government area where there is crisis or court injunctions.

He said, “As much as we know as a matter of fact that it is not unexpected of community leaders to express their grievances and concerns about the geographical composition, nomenclature and location of headquarters of the LCDAS, so much more, we do need to know that our agitation and the “push” for the realization of our interests or requests must be done with caution —devoid of violence.

In an interview, the Iralepo said Isinkan is prepared for the LCDA, noting that sons and daughters of the kingdom have raised substantial money in support of the council after the news of the creation. You can see that all Isinkan people at the public hearing today comported themselves as noble people. The individuals that attempted to disrupt the event were from one palace and their identities are no secret to security men. They are not from our communities. Their sponsor wants to dictate our life in a democracy.“

A lawyer, Arowosafe Ajagunna, said that by the rule of LCDA creation, it is only the people of Isinkan and environ that should complain.

“It is a shame. It only shows their actions were premeditated. The effective regulation guiding local government creation is clearly spelt out in the 1999 constitution”.

“It is only the Iralepo and his people in Isinkan that have the locus to complain. People from other parts of the state or the extant LGA cannot put a mouth. What they tried to do today was illegal and it was good that the Speaker shut them up’ he concluded.