By SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin City
THERE is tension in Ososo community of Akoko Edo Local Government Council of Edo state as community members beat drums of war over the nomination of the former Commissioner for Arts and Culture in the state, Ms Aanena Jemitola as Commissioner nominee from the council.
Akoko Edo ACN leaders and youths accused the former Commissioner of alleged refusal to meet with the traditional ruler of the area, adding that she also refused to attend ACN ward meetings through out her period as Commissioner from the Council.
They cried that it would be unfair to re-nominate her as a Commissioner when she has not contributed any thing to the growth of the party in the council.
In two separate petitions, from Concerned leaders from the council and another from Concerned Ososo ACN Youths signed by members of the ward executive committee of the party in Ward 10 addressed to the governor, they said the appointment of Ms Jemitola as commissioner in the first tenure of Oshiomhole created discord in the peaceful community.
But when contacted, Jemotal denied the allegations that “there is only one position to be filled, everybody can vie for it but only one person will get it. If they are not given a position, they should wait for their turn. The leaders will decide”
The petition alleged that she failed to improve on the Ososo Tourist Centre built in 1935, “her continued refusal to meet with the traditional ruler and his council in the community, her refusal to attend ward meetings just as they said the former commissioner failed to attend several ward meetings called by the political party in the ward”.
According to the petition, “her activities have thrown her Ward 10 into crisis in the past and communal discord in Ososo with fears of a communal clash in her community. Akoko Edo is blessed with very many intelligent, easy going, ebullient, industrious, and versatile men and women who should also be given the opportunity to contribute their quota in the service process.
“We urge you to consult very widely with Akoko-Edo elders and leaders including the youths and elected representatives in arriving at an acceptable person to represent us in your soon to be constituted State Executive Council” it stated.
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