The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, on Tuesday received the President of the Ratel Movement, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at his palace in Iwo, Osun State.
VDM received a warm welcome from members of the Ratel Movement, who travelled from different parts of the country to show their support for their leader.
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During the visit, the social media activist expressed his movement’s growing interest in active politics and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local governments, describing the policy as a potential catalyst for grassroots development.
He, however, called for the full implementation of the autonomy to ensure that local governments can effectively deliver development and other benefits directly to the people.
VDM also urged Nigerians to intensify their monitoring and scrutiny of local government administrations, stressing that citizens should hold local government officials accountable just as they do federal and state authorities.
Speaking during the visit, he said it was his first time in Osun State and disclosed that discussions on joining active politics had featured prominently in recent meetings of the Ratel Movement.
“This is my first time in Osun State. I have listened to the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, who encouraged my movement to consider active participation in politics.
“Politics has been part of our discussions in recent meetings, and we are currently making plans in that direction. At the appropriate time, very soon, we will support the most credible and trusted individuals among us. We intend to begin at the local government level.
“I have already started making contacts because we have a particular way of doing things.”
Commending President Tinubu, VDM added: “One of the things I appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for is the decision to grant local government autonomy, even though some state governments are frustrating its implementation.
“I am pleased that the Oluwo of Iwoland has said the autonomy granted by the President is working in Osun State.”
He further appealed to Nigerians to pay greater attention to the activities of local and state governments.
“I want to urge Nigerians to devote more energy to monitoring and scrutinising the activities of local and state governments across the country. We must ask more questions from those managing our local governments and demand accountability from them.”
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