Residents of Ilese-Ijebu, in the newly created Yemoji Local Council Development Area (LCDA), have protested the “last-minute” change of the council’s headquarters from Ilese to Isonyin.
They asked the Ogun State government to correct the “alleged wrong”.
In a letter to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the Ilese Development Council (IDC) Chairman Segun Demuren and Assistant Secretary-General Popo-Ola Ojikitu said: “It is public knowledge that Your Excellency named Ilese as headquarters.
“We also noticed that in all publications made by the State Independent Electoral Commission for the just concluded local government elections, Ilese was stated as headquarters of Yemoji LCDA.
“The people of Ilese had spent over N20 million to ensure a smooth take-off of the LCDA.
“We have built a modern office complex. Also, at our own cost, we built a three-kilometre road, named Dr. Taiwo Afolabi Road, to connect Ilese, which is central, with other parts of the LCDA, for ease of accessibility.
“We cannot force Isonyin, a community that does not generate any IGR, and is disadvantaged by location, on our people.
“We know Your Excellency to be a proponent of fairness, fair play and justice.”
IDC warned those allegedly “using their personalities and connections to subvert, subdue and oppress our people” to desist and respect the “open referendum” of the communities in Yemoji LCDA.
Calling on the governor to right the alleged wrong, IDC suggested the governor should carry out a fresh plebiscite to confirm or deny Ilese’s claim.
“We await a date for the referendum. We wish to assure our amiable governor of our support and loyalty to his government.”