Akure – Mr Bolaji Odidi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has charged youths to be civil in their protest and embrace dialogue instead of resorting to violence.
Odidi gave the charge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure on Wednesday.
He spoke following the protest against the appointment of Mr Gbenga Edema from Mahin area as the new chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
NAN reports that some youths from Ugbo Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state were not happy about Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s April 6 appointment of Edema.
“The best way to show your displeasure is not by being violent. I urge you to embrace peace,’’ he said.
Odidi, a UK-based lawyer, said that all the past chairmen of OSOPADEC were picked from Ugbo, hence, the need for someone from Mahin to be given the chance.
“We need to let them realise that all the past chairmen of OSOPADEC since its inception are from Ugbo Kingdom area of the local government, Edema is the first Mahin indigene to be appointed.
“Therefore, the appointment of Gbenga Edema is a welcome development; it reflects equity, fairness and justice,” he said.
Odidi advised the new chairman to ensure even spread of developmental projects to justify the trust reposed in him by the state government.
The APC chieftain also thanked the Federal Government for the nomination of Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa as a member representing the state on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He congratulated the two Ilaje sons on their elevation, noting that their appointments were well deserved.
Odidi said the appointments so far had shown the resolve of Akeredolu, to be fair-minded and committed to correcting the lopsided appointments of the past.
“Aiyedatiwa and Edema are men with wealth of experience who are well suited for the positions they were given,” he said.
