LP MEMBERS ASKS MIMIKO TO SACK OWO COUNCIL BOSS

Some Labour Party members in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State have demanded the immediate removal of the chairman of the council, Mr. Adeola Fagbayibo, and the dissolution of the caretaker committee.

The party members, who had earlier on Thursday staged a peaceful protest to the office of the governor in Akure, alleged that the party would be plunged into a major crisis in the area if Fagbayibo and other members of the caretaker committee were not removed.

The LP members in a letter of protest to the state governor, which was signed by Alhaji Isiaka Ekungba, Kayode Ogunmola and Bola Asolo, said there was the need for Mimiko to act fast before the 2011 elections.

They insisted that there was lopsidedness in the composition of the caretaker committee of the local government.

They said only two of the wards in the council produced the members of the committee, while others were not represented.

However, the chairman described the allegations as ‘baseless and false.’

He explained in a telephone interview on Sunday that some people in the local government area were behind the action.

Fagbayibo said he had executed at least 25 projects across the council, contrary to the allegation that he did not perform.

He said, “The allegations raised against me are based on falsehood. The allegation that I sowed seeds of discord among traditional rulers in the council is not true, this can be checked with the Obas in the area.

“I believe in performance but some people are out to show power.”

The protesters accused the council boss of not carrying the party leaders and members along in the management of the council’s resources.

They said, “What we have in our local government is a non-resident chairman. He lives in Akure against the instruction of Mr. Governor.

“He only uses his official quarters in the GRA to entertain his unofficial guests.”

Meanwhile, Mimiko has asked members of the party in the area to wait for the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the matter.

The governor was quoted by his Senior Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Mr. Dayo Fadahunsi, as having urged the protesters to remain calm and await further directives.