By Ebunoluwa Sessou & Matthew Johnson

The Awori Youth Council (AYC) has expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the increasing involvement of non-indigenes in the political leadership of Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency II in Lagos State.

Convener of the council, Olanrewaju Eboda, disclosed this during a visit with his team to the old Osolo Palace in Isolo, Lagos.

Eboda stated that non-Awori indigenes currently occupying political positions in the constituency lacked adequate understanding of the community’s culture, traditions, and developmental needs.

According to him, “Non-indigenes cannot understand our community, culture, and needs like we do. Therefore, political offices within the constituency should be occupied by those who are rooted in the community.”

Also speaking, the Iyaloja of Isolo Market, Mrs. Muinat Agbabiaka, said Awori indigenes had not benefited adequately from federal representation in the constituency.

“Our sons and daughters are not benefiting enough from the representation at the federal level. We want an indigene who understands the people and their challenges to represent Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency II,” she said.

In his remarks, a community leader in Isolo, Prince Olushola Goloba, said the liberal disposition of the Yoruba people had contributed to what he described as the marginalisation of Awori indigenes in governance.

Goloba also appealed to the Lagos State Government and local authorities to complete the ongoing construction of the Isolo Palace project for the benefit of the community.

Earlier, Director of the Awori Youth Council, Comrade Paul Arowolo, said the group believed that indigenes should be given more opportunities to govern their communities.

“The present representation has not been favourable enough to Awori indigenes, hence the need for change. We believe that an indigene who understands the people better should represent the constituency,” he said.