Residents and leaders of Odo Iragbushi, a community in Eredo Local Council Development Area, of Epe, Lagos State on Friday staged a peaceful protest demanding an expedited action on the appointment and installation of a new traditional ruler for the town.
The residents noted that the ancient town had no monarch for more than 10 years after the demise of the late traditional ruler Oba Julius Aladegbusi.
The protesters, who were led by the youth leaders of the community argued that the lack of a traditional ruler in the community for almost ten years has had a negative impact on its development.
They appealed to the Lagos State Government to ratify the community’s choice of a new king, Prince Tomina Odutuga.
A youth leader in the community, Comrade Babatunde Moshood who spoke on behalf of the residents asked the government to consider the people’s choice and speed up the process of installing a new king for the community while warning that any manipulation against people’s wish may plunge the town into chaos.
He noted that all their efforts on this matter were truncated by the bigwigs in and outside the community while the two contenders for the kingship post have been an issue in the community.
He noted that the community leaders and the youth on several occasions had dialogued with the two contenders to allow peace to reign but none of them was ready to step down for each other.
Meanwhile, the community had early last year staged a peaceful protest to the Governor’s Office and the State House of Assembly this year where they sent petition letters to the Lagos State Governor, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs and other concerned ministries. Today again, a peaceful protest was staged in the community as a reminder.
See Photos Below;
