Youths from Odigbo Constituency II in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have rejected the candidacy of Atoyebi Aderonke, an aspirant seeking to represent the constituency in the Ondo State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that she was imposed by the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Peak Newspaper reports.
During a peaceful protest staged in Araromi Obu Today, the aggrieved youths expressed strong dissatisfaction, insisting that the aspirant is not an indigene of Odigbo Constituency II and therefore not qualified to represent them.
Speaking during the protest, the Youth President of Araromi Obu Kingdom Comrade Dayo Akinro, described the alleged imposition as undemocratic and unacceptable. He claimed that Atoyebi Aderonke emerged as a consensus candidate without adequate consultation with key stakeholders in the constituency.
“As far as we are concerned, we cannot allow someone who has not contributed to the growth of Odigbo Constituency II and is considered an outsider to represent us. We refuse to have our future compromised in the name of politics,” Akinro stated.
He further warned that any continued attempt to impose the aspirant on the constituency would be met with strong resistance, emphasizing that representation must reflect the collective will of the people rather than political imposition.
However, reacting to the allegations in an Phone interview with Peak Newspaper Atoyebi Aderonke maintained that peaceful protest remains a constitutional right of citizens and expressed respect for that right.
She also dismissed claims that she is not an indigene of the constituency, stating that she hails from the Awoniyi family of Araromi-Obu, which qualifies her as a bona fide member of the community eligible to represent it.
