The people of Igbowa-Ikosi in Ikosi Ejinrin LCDA Epe Division in Lagos State have appealed to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reject the nomination of Barr. Saheed Owolabi Momson as the next Abowa of the community, saying he is not qualified for the reason of being physically-challenged.
The community members allege that they were not consulted in the process leading to the nomination of Barr. Momson, insisting that he does not represent their interest.
In a letter to the Governor on Thursday and signed by Agbowa-Ikosi Indigenes in Diaspora, Agbowa-Ikosi Indigenous Council and Agbowa-Ikosi Community Youth Council, the community accused the chairman of Ikosi Ejinrin Local Council Development Area of desperately attempting to foist the nominee on Agbowa-Ikosi people.
They said Momson is not qualified to occupy the seat of Abowa in line with laws governing the appointment of Obas and Chiefs in Lagos State.
The letter read in part, “It is unacceptable enough that the local government chairman unilaterally forwarded Barr. Saheed Owolabi Momson’s name in a way that violates our right to choose our leader, but to think also that he undermined extant laws regarding the qualifications of persons to occupy the Abowa stool leaves much to be desired.
“Your Excellency, as you are aware, Section 16 (2) of Oba and Chief law of Lagos state disqualifies any candidates with any serious physical deformity to be Oba and Chief in Lagos state. However, Saheed Owolabi Momson is seeking to be imposed on the community with the active connivance of the local government chairman despite not having the prerequisite qualification.
“To the knowledge of the entire Agbowa-Ikosi, Saheed Owolabi Momson suffers from deformity in his right leg and even the kingmakers are aware of this.”
The people of Agbowa-Ikosi expressed displeasure that several attempts to have the local government reverse the nomination has proved abortive, warning that the peace of the community may be jeopardised if Momson’s is forcefully imposed on the people.
They therefore called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to withhold his approval of the nominee as their Abowa of Agbowa-Ikosi.
