Akeredolu inaugurates councils’ caretaker chairmen, as assembly elects speaker

• PDP elders condemn governor, court’s decision
• APC factions clash in Oyo over alleged list of committee members
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State yesterday inaugurated 18 caretaker chairmen to govern the local councils for the next six months.

This followed the judgment by an Akure High Court, which dissolved the leadership of the councils.

The new chairmen were sworn in yesterday in Akure, the state capital, at the International Event Centre, the Dome.

Akeredolu urged them to be diligent, honest and loyal to promote good governance in the state.

The new chairmen and the councils they were appointed to head are Mr. Aworetan Fayowole (Ilaje); Odimayo Gbadebo (Irele); Mrs. Morenike Alaka (Okitipupa); George Adenikinju (Odigbo); Temidayo Akinsuroji (Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo); and Ebenezer Akinsulie (Ondo West).

Others are Mr. Bekewe Olowu (Ese-Odo); Rafiu Akinkuolie (Ondo East); Biyi Akinnuola (Idanre), Mrs. Atere Margaret (Akure South); Segun Oluyede (Akure North); Dipo Ajibola (Ifedore) and Gani Omoluka (Owo).

Also included are Mr. Agboola Ajike (Ose); Adeyemi Akinniyi (Akoko South East), Augustine Oloruntogbe (Akoko South West); Rafiu Eniayewu (Akoko North East) and Moradeyo Ajayi (Akoko North West).

However, elders of the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have condemned the decision, describing it as “unwarranted hasty dissolution.”

A former commissioner in the state, Segun Adegoke, said at a press conference in Akure yesterday that a higher court would vacate the ruling.

Also in Akure, the state House of Assembly, presided over by Malachi Coker, elected Mr. Bamidele Oloyelogun as the new speaker, while Ogundeji Iroju became his deputy.

Meanwhile, the faction of former speaker Jumoke Akindele claimed that they were not aware of the session that elected the new officers.

But Mr. Siji Akindiose of Akindele’s faction said the House does not usually sit on Mondays and Fridays, because they were reserved for committee activities.

Oloyelogun and his deputy, who addressed a press conference later in Akure, explained that the election was a constitutional matter and in line with Section 92 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Meanwhile, violence broke out yesterday between two factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s state secretariat in Ibadaan, the Oyo State capital.

This followed a purported list of local councils chairmen allegedly sent to the state House of Assembly for confirmation.

The Guardian learnt that a faction of the party that is loyal to the camp of former governor Lam Adesina was aggrieved that their members were excluded from the list to hijack the party ahead of the general elections in 2019.

Dangerous weapons were reportedly used, leading to the injury of many people.

Speaking on behalf of the state Governor, the Executive Assistant to the governor on political matters, Moronkola Thomas, urged the parties to be patient to allow the House to work on the list.