Nigeria Content Online

Some indigenes of
the Ogun West Senatorial District yesterday caused huge traffic jam for
hours in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, following their peaceful
protest over the two ministerial nominees from Ogun State.

The protesters,
who stormed the major streets of the town, were seen carrying placards
denouncing the list. The protesting Yewa/ Awori, who are also
clamouring to produce the next governor for the state, trekked through
Ita-Oshin, Oke-Sokori, Ita-Eko, Ibara, Omida, Oke-Ilewo, Oke-Igbein,
Kuto and Presidential Boulevard before finally stopping at Governor’s
Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

They took their grouse and complaint against the ministerial list to the governor, Gbenga Daniel.

“This is the sixth
ministerial nominations and appointments from Ogun State since 1999,
without a single person from Ogun West,” the protesters said.

The protesters
were received by the governor, Mr. Gbenga Daniel and his deputy,
Salimot Badru-Makanjuola, who incidentally is from Ogun West Senatorial
District.

Kayode Ajibola, the leader of the protesters, said their action was planned to claim their rights.

“There are three
senatorial districts in each of the states of the federation. Two of
them, that is Ogun Central and Ogun East, have cornered all federal
appointments. It is not only unfair, it is ungodly. Who wants to create
another Delta-like militants in Ogun State?” A leader of the area, Ayo
Otegbola, said the district was fighting a just cause. “We have the
right in all standard to have a slot,” he said, noting that the zone
had since 1999 being agitating for equal representation in the state.

Mr. Daniel, who
looked worried over the rejection of his nominees and their
replacements, Jubril Martins-Kuye and Nojeem Alao, said the protest
came at the right time.

Blame the cabal

He assured the
protesters that the letter of complaint submitted to him, would be
taken to Abuja for Mr. Jonathan’s necessary action, just as he warned
the protesters to avoid violence.

“It is good that
you protest. I want to assure you that Ogun West is important in Ogun
State. Your loyalty must therefore be reciprocated,” he said.

Mr. Daniel also attributed his political travails to ‘some cabal’
whom he said operate only for their selfish interest. He was for the
first time reacting to the rejection of his ministerial nominees by the
federal government.