Some youths under the aegis of Concerned Ikale Youths (CIY) have flayed the former Governor of Ondo state, late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for allegedly marginalizing communities subsumed under Ikale in the Southern Senatorial district of the state.

To this end, the unhappy youths, in a statement on Friday, jointly signed by the President, Egbuwalo Olumide and Secretary, Omosaye Aiyenitaju, urged Aiyedatiwa to eshew the footsteps of his late predecessor, Akeredolu, who they said personalised Ikale heritage for his kinsmen in Owo.

The statement reads, “Ayedatiwa should not marginalize Ikale people like his principal, the late Akeredolu. Governor Ayedatiwa must not follow the footsteps of his principal who personalised Ikale heritage for his kinsmen in Owo.

“Ikale has two main functional economic heritages: Okitipupa Oil Palm and Forest Reserves. History will never be kind to Akeredolu for mismanaging the resources of Okitipupa Oil Palm PLC and turning it to his family’s business, and for selling Ikale forest without considering the interests of our people and their farm produce that worth billions of naira.

“Many people died from the shock because they no longer have anything to fall back upon.

“The act of selling Igbotako-Omotosho/Big-road and Ode-Aye farmland and protecting Owo farmland is an economic sabotage to the Ikale race. Your excellency should know that Alex Ajipe’s claim of bringing investors to our land is grossly fabricated, the statement partly said.

They also advised governor Aiyedatiwa to crosscheck government files to confirm Ajipe’s alleged lies of bringing Weewood Company to Ondo South.

“The governor should investigate Alex Ajipe’s many lies of bringing Weewood Company, and invite professionals from Natural Resources to find out the quantum of damages done by him. He’s now scheming to pad his lean account to prosecute his failed Senatorial Ambition.

“It should be noted that WEWOOD and ZOYANG were established during the government of Dr. Olusegun Miniko when Alex Ajipe was an allottee in the forestry while relating and trading with WEWOOD.

“His consultancy with the Ondo state government during Akeredolu’s tenure was fact-checked to be for Owo boys and his family alone.

“We are ready to support your excellency ahead of this coming election, but we will not allow Ajipe and his Owo boys to continue to milk our natural resources at the detriment of the good people of Ikaleland.

“Your Excellency, please, do not turn a blind eye and allow us to go into slavery in the hands of these people who are now working for Betty Akeredolu. Look for qualified loyalists among our people and consider them to bring succor to the zone “ they said.

The group appealed to Gov Ayedatiwa to discontinue the reigns of Ajipe and his Owo boys in Ikale land.

“Our people want relief from these bullies, we can’t forget how Akeredolu insulted our Kings, it’s still fresh in our memory. We can no longer tolerate any of them stealing our common patrimony. The interest of our people must be protected. It is high time your excellency discontinued the reigns of Ajipe and his Owo boys in Ikale land. May history be kind to you”, the statement added.

Hmmmmm! But the act of lording a community's indigent over another in their own lands must stop （especially where such ain't yielding required benefits for the concerned community）. They have worthy people to promote their interest within their midst too so let them provide their candidate from themselves.

As a Nigerian, I feel the pain of the Ikale youths and urge Gov Ayedatiwa to heed their plea to protect their heritage and not follow in the footsteps of his predecessor.

Cool he should not.