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 her emergence was influenced by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The aggrieved youths staged a peaceful protest in Araromi Obu, where they expressed strong opposition to what they described as an attempt to impose a candidate on the constituency.
Speaking during the protest, the Youth President of Araromi Obu Kingdom, Comrade Dayo Akinro, said the process that produced the aspirant did not reflect proper consultation with key stakeholders in the area.
He described the development as undemocratic, insisting that the people of Odigbo Constituency II should have the final say in who represents them.
“As far as we are concerned, we cannot allow someone who has not contributed meaningfully to the development of Odigbo Constituency II, and who is seen as an outsider, to represent us. We refuse to have our future decided for us through political imposition,” Akinro said.
He warned that continued attempts to impose a candidate on the constituency could trigger stronger resistance from residents, stressing that political representation must reflect the will of the people.
According to him, leadership should emerge through broad consultation and acceptance, not unilateral decisions.
However, responding to the allegations, Atoyebi Aderonke said she respects the right of citizens to protest peacefully, describing it as part of democratic expression.
She also dismissed claims that she is not indigene of the constituency, stating that she hails from the Awoniyi family of Araromi-Obu and is fully qualified to contest and represent the area.
Aderonke maintained that she remains committed to engaging with stakeholders across the constituency to clarify concerns and strengthen unity within the party and the community.
