Residents of Obele-Kolade, Lawanson, in Mushin Local Council of Lagos State, have protested against alleged imposition of a former chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA), Henry Ojo, as the new helmsman by Mushin Local Council boss, Emmanuel Bamgboye.
 
Protesting with placards, with various inscriptions, the residents opposed the alleged imposition of the former chair, stating that they must be given the liberty to elect who presides over them.
 
Leading the protest, the youth leader of the community, Aro Oseni, alleged that Ojo performed woefully as the former chairman, alleging mismanagement of funds belonging to the community and diverting government palliatives in all forms to himself.
 
He said: “Mushin Local Government has refused to hold elections for Obele-Kolade North, Lawanson, insisting on returning the former chairman, who the community vehemently opposes. 
 
“This action is inimical to the growth and prosperity of the community. To avoid political setbacks and future challenges, we demand free and fair elections in our CDA.
 
“We decided to protest because I have heard a lot from my people about the former CDA chairman and I think he should not be imposed on us.
“He never attended to the people whenever his attention was called into any matter, and he acted alone. 
 
“I do not have a preferred candidate; I only want an election into the office instead of imposition. We want the people to elect the person they want.

“His tenure was full of incompetence and greed. It is silly impositions like this that almost cost us at the last elections.”
   
Responding, Ojo said those protesting were hoodlums and not members of his community.   “The presence of the former Speaker of the House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, was felt in the community through me.
 
“Roads were constructed, and transformers brought to the community through me. I connected the people to opportunities without collecting a penny. I only use my link to connect my community to development; no one remembered that the road constructed by Gbajabiamila was left for 51 years, until I used my connection. Sadly, I am dealing with hoodlums, and I will take them to court. 
 
“The council chairman is aware of everything. I have never collected money from anybody, and no local council boss has given me any money, and I don’t get myself involved with the contractor that handles projects in the community. I have meetings with different people to attract them to develop the community.”