The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has named an indigene of Abonnema local government area of Rivers State, Mrs. Opunimi Akinkugbe, as an ambassadorial nominee for Ondo State.

Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe

This has stirred controversies from Ondo indigenes.

Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe’s name was listed under Ondo State on the list announced by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, Punch reports.

The nominee is the daughter of the late F.I Ajumogobia, a former Chief of Mission at UNESCO who died in the ADC flight 086 crash en route Lagos from Port Harcourt on November 7, 1996.

She is married to Yinka Akinkugbe from Ondo State and they are blessed with three children.

The nominee, who is a renowned columnist, has over 23 years of experience in the banking sector having worked at Stanbic IBTC, Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered Bank where she is currently a non-executive director.

She attended the London School of Economics and Political Science and IESE Business School where she bagged an MBA.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the state Chairman, Ondo Youth Coalition, Ademario Emmanuel, said Ondo had prominent sons and daughters that could take up the appointment.

Emmanuel, who is also the National President, Youth Advancement Initiative, said the appointment would not stand.

He said, “The person that was nominated is not from Ondo State. We are doing more research to know those behind the recommendation of that appointment and we will send a letter to the Presidency and the governor. Ondo State cannot be short-changed and manipulated by some greedy set of persons because of power.

“It is insulting that we have people that can represent this state well in national affairs. Why are they not being given appointment? Ondo State has prominent sons and daughters who are well to do and can represent Nigeria and the state anywhere in the world. This appointment will not stand. When we have made up our mind, we will take the next step.”