Over one hundred members of the Association of Traditional Religion Worshippers in Igbogbo, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, stormed the Palace of Adeboruwa of Igbogbo to peacefully protest the removal of Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola as Special Adviser on Housing and consequently from the Lagos State Executive Council by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday, January 11, 2018.
The traditionalists, who were led on the peaceful protest by their Vice-Chairman, High Chief Saheed Alowonle, had staged the protest to demonstrate their solidarity and support for Hon. Akinsola, whom they described as one of their loyal patrons and a very good daughter of Igbogbo, who had used her position, particularly while combining the positions of the Special Adviser and Acting Commissioner for Tourism, to protect and further the interest of the association and Igbogbo community
While addressing Oba Semiudeen Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and his Chiefs and Baales during a brief meeting, Chief Alowonle said the traditional worshippers had come to the palace to express their sympathy and solidarity for Hon. Akinsola over her unexpected removal from the State Executive Council. He said members of his association and the entire Igbogbo community received the news of Akinsola’s removal as a rude shock and surprise because the people of Igbogbo were only looking forward to her elevation to a higher position due to her remarkable performance, especially as Acting Commissioner and Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism.
Chief Alowonle stated that Hon. Akinsola had represented Igbogbo Community very well as a Special Adviser and Acting Commissioner, stating that her removal is a big loss to the entire community, particularly his association, which he said had benefited immensely while she was at the helms of affairs of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. He, however, demanded that Oba Kasali facilitate a meeting, where political leaders in the town would explain the reason behind the unceremonious removal of Hon. Akinsola from office and why another person was not picked from Igbogbo to replace her.
High Chief Tajudeen Alade Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo, in a brief response on behalf of Oba Kasali and other traditional leaders, commended the traditional worshippers for showing support and solidarity for Hon. Akinsola and for having a good rapport with her while in office. He explained that the removal of Hon. Akinsola, though very painful to Igbogbo community, should not be given any wrong or bias interpretation because cabinet reshuffle is a common feature of democratic government, which is done on regular basis to effect changes in government, adding that the latest cabinet reshuffle was not the first and would not be the last by the present administration.
Chief Onasanya explained that the fact that two other people were also affected showed that the reshuffle was done in good faith and not to witch-hunt Hon. Akinsola or Igbogbo community as being alleged by many. The revered traditional Chief said he understood the feelings of the traditionalists over Akinsola’s removal but maintained that politicians and political office holders are well aware that their appointments are transient in nature as anybody can be removed or appointed at any time for the purpose of good governance.
Onasanya stated that the main concern of all leaders of Igbogbo community is that another person was not picked by the Governor to replace Hon. Akinsola in his cabinet and assured that the Kabiyesi and other leaders of the town are already working to ensure that the interest of the town is well protected in that regard. Chief Onasanya, however, implored the traditional worshippers and people of Igbogbo to exercise patience over the incident and prayed that the next cabinet reshuffle would favour the town.
Meanwhile, Chief Alowonle, while speaking briefly with Oriwu Sun, said Hon. Akinsola would be sorely missed because she had served as an effective link through which traditionalists and the entire people of Igbogbo conveyed their requests and demands to the State Government. While stating that his association agreed with the position of Igbogbo leaders on the issue, he appealed to Governor Ambode to ensure that Igbogbo is not completely removed from his government by appointing another indigene of the town to replace Hon. Akinsola.
Another traditionalist, Mr. Abiodun Oyesanya Orefuwa, in his own reaction, said traditional worshippers in Igbogbo would be greatly affected by Akinsola’s removal because of what they benefitted from her while in office as Acting Commissioner and Special Adviser on Tourism. He urged Governor Ambode to reinstate Hon, Akinsola or reappoint her in another capacity to compensate her brilliant performance while in office.