Host communities of the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) in Edo State have staged a protest against the appointment of Femi Adekanbi as the agency’s new Managing Director.
Protesters from Obayantor II, Ekosa, Agbomwoba, and Awanoba communities barricaded the BORBDA headquarters, preventing staff and visitors from gaining access to the premises. The demonstrators, carrying placards, demanded the removal of Adekanbi and the appointment of an indigene from the host communities to lead the federal agency.
Spokesperson for the protesters, Mr. Nosa Aigbogho, accused the agency of marginalizing the host communities for over four decades, particularly in appointments to top management positions.
“Our protest is to demand that the recommendations of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for the appointment of a qualified indigene from the host communities be respected by the federal government,” Aigbogho stated.
He further criticized the agency’s lack of corporate social responsibility, alleging that the host communities have received little to no benefits from BORBDA’s operations over the years.
The protesters called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse Adekanbi’s appointment and ensure that a Benin person is named Managing Director in adherence to the Federal Character principle.
They vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met.
The Federal Government had, in January 2025, reconstituted the boards of the country’s twelve River Basin Authorities, appointing Mr. Mike Ezomo as Chairman and Femi Adekanbi as Managing Director of BORBDA. However, the host communities insist that the appointment does not reflect their interests and have pledged to sustain their protest until their concerns are addressed.
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