A Man Who Disrespects Traditional Rulers and Rejects Equity, Fairness, and Justice Does Not Deserve to Be on the Ballot in Osun State.

A Man Who Disrespects Traditional Rulers and Rejects Equity, Fairness, and Justice Does Not Deserve to Be on the Ballot in Osun State

Osogbo, November 9, 2025.

It was a total shutdown of activities on Saturday in Lokoja, the headquarters of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as the youths of Kogi State took to the streets to demand the immediate removal of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mr. Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, over what they described as marginalization and nepotism.

Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Lokoja, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “President Tinubu, Remove NIWA MD/CEO Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji” and “Lokoja Indigenes Are Marginalized by NIWA Management.”

The protesters accused the NIWA boss of deliberately sidelining Lokoja indigenes in employment, contracts, and decision-making within the agency, despite Lokoja being the host community of NIWA’s national headquarters.

Speaking during the protest, the leader of the group, Comrade Muhammed Ali, expressed deep disappointment over what he described as the continued neglect of Lokoja indigenes by the NIWA Boss, Bola 

“We are peaceful citizens, but our patience has been overstretched. Lokoja hosts NIWA’s headquarters, yet our people are denied opportunities. We want President Tinubu to intervene and remove the current MD,” he said.

The protesters later visited the palace of the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV, who received them warmly and commended their peaceful conduct.

In his remarks, the royal father said:

 “I have made several attempts to reach the NIWA boss, Bola Oyebamiji, over these same concerns. I called him several times, but he refused to answer or return my calls. I even sent messages inviting him to my palace, but he ignored them. It is unfortunate that he has no respect for traditional rulers.”

Kabiyesi further lauded the youths for standing for truth, justice, and fairness, assuring them that their grievances would be properly communicated to the relevant authorities. He, however, urged them to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

Comrade Ali also appealed to Kogi State’s National Assembly members, including Senator Sunday Karimi and Hon. Abdullahi Halims Aguye to intervene and ensure fair representation of Lokoja indigenes in NIWA operations, noting that the current situation reflects blatant favoritism toward the people from the Southwest, where the MD hails from.

 “Nepotism must stop. We demand fairness and inclusiveness in the affairs of NIWA,” Comrade Ali declared.

The protest has further amplified public outrage against the embattled NIWA boss, who is now being accused of lacking respect for royal institutions and failing to uphold the principles of equity, fairness, and justice, values essential for anyone aspiring to lead or hold public office, especially in Osun State.

Apesin Abiodun Adegoke 

Osun State.

09/11/2025