The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Arogbo Clan, has respectfully urged the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellence, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to consider appointing a competent Ese-Odo Local Government indigene, expecially from the Arogbo axis, as Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC). This demand is rooted in the need for fairness, equity, and inclusivity in governance, given the historical exclusion of Ese-Odo indigenes from the commission’s leadership since its establishment.
In a press statement jointly signed and made available to our correspondent by the Chairman IYC Arogbo Clan, Comrade Toibokumoh Arigidi and the Publicity Secretary, IYC Arogbo Clan, Comrade, Kimi Meshach, the group recommend Hon. Ofoyeju Udouboh, a dedicated and loyal member of the ruling party, for this role.
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The statement further noted that IYC is not a political organisation, no doubt, but, it is driving by her hallowed moral principles to flag any injustice in the state. They equally acknowledged the capacity of Mr. Banji Okuomo and Mr. Allen Sowere as earlier recommended by some other organisations within the state. However, when x-raying the leadership trajectory of the Commission since inception, it is morally appropriate for such role to be zoned to Arogbo-Ijaw who has never tasted the seat. The IYC, Arogbo Clan expresses confidence in Hon. Ofoyeju Oduboh; noting that his leadership has potential in bringing effective management, transparency, inclusiveness and integrity to the Commission.
The leadership of IYC, Arogbo Clan, lauds the leadership style of the Governor and looks forward to a positive response from the Governor and wishes him a seamlessly productive governance in the affairs of Ondo State.
Read the full text below:
Press Release: Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Arogbo Clan, Demands Ese-Odo indigene As OSOPADEC Chairman.
Monday, 26th May, 2025
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Arogbo Clan, has been closely observing recent political developments in Ondo State. As a socio-cultural organisation known for its non-partisan stance, we rarely concern ourselves with the activities of political actors as meddling into political affairs stands outside the scope of our operations. However, we have a moral obligation to flag injustice when necessary and advocate for the rights and fair representation of our people within the precincts of the purpose for which the organisation was founded.
As Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration finalises its cabinet and strategic boards for effective governance, we believe it is dignifying to recognise and reward those who demonstrated unwavering support before, during, and after the elections with key positions of influence, but recent developments and actions of the Governor has projected the reverse.
Recently, we noted an online publication by the Ilaje Youth Development Forum (IYDF) projecting Mr. Banji Okuomo for the position of Chairman, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC). Not long after, another interest group— yet to be properly identified — surfaced in support of Mr. Allen Sowore, who has since distanced himself from the lobbying efforts and reiterated that only the Governor has the power to make such appointments.
While we acknowledged that both Mr. Okuomo and Mr. Sowore are eminently qualified, we wish to draw attention to the historical and structural imbalance in appointments to the leadership of OSOPADEC. Since its establishment, no individual from Ese-Odo Local Government Area has ever chaired the commission. The highest appointment so far has been that of Dr. Victor Koledoye, who served as Permanent Secretary during the administration of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN. Notably, Dr. Koledoye is from the Apoi axis of Ese-Odo.
Given that the OSOPADEC was created to serve oil-producing communities — with Ese-Odo being one of such— the continuous exclusion of our people from chairing the commission is an oversight that needs urgent redress.
We, therefore, appeal to His Excellency, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to consider appointing a competent son or daughter of Ese-Odo, particularly from the Arogbo axis, asq Chairman of OSOPADEC. A fitting and well-grounded candidate in this regard is Hon. Ofoyeju Udouboh — a grassroots politician, former Leader of the Ese-Odo Legislative Council, and current Secretary of Arogbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Hon. Ofoyeju has been a close political ally of the Governor since 2015 and has remained a committed and loyal party man.
As a youth body that believes in the potential of young leaders, we respectfully recommend Hon. Ofoyeju for this role. We trust in his capacity to manage the affairs of the commission effectively and with integrity.
This recommendation is not sponsored by Hon. Ofoyeju Udouboh, nor is it intended to sow a seed of discord within the ruling party. It simply hinges on our understanding of his character and contributions. While the final decision is the Governor’s exclusive preserve, we humbly urge that any choice made is expected to reflect fairness, equity, and the spirit of inclusivity that modern governance demands.
We wish His Excellency great success in piloting the affairs of Ondo State with wisdom and dedication.
Signed:
Comr. Toibokumoh Arigidi
Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Arogbo Clan
Comr. Kimi Meshach
Publicity Secretary, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Arogbo Clan
