The office of the Walewale Municipal Coordinating Director remained sealed on Tuesday following a protest by a group of aggrieved youth who stormed the Municipal Assembly premises, compelling the Director, Justice Bayon, to vacate the area for safety.
The demonstrators, numbering several dozen, arrived early in the morning, chanting slogans and calling for urgent intervention to address what they described as persistent grievances. The situation escalated rapidly, causing anxiety among staff and visitors. Sources within the Assembly indicated that the Director had exited the premises prior to the group’s arrival after receiving intelligence about the planned protest.
Upon reaching the Assembly, the protesters reportedly gained access to sections of the building and locked the Coordinating Director’s office, thereby disrupting administrative operations.
In remarks to the media, members of the group accused the Director of absenteeism and ineffective performance. One protester stated that the community no longer had confidence in his leadership and called on the government to appoint a replacement, warning that further action could follow if their demands were not met.
The protest was also driven by broader concerns, including unemployment, perceived neglect, and delays in development initiatives. Protesters highlighted the deteriorating condition of roads in Walewale, alleging that available machinery had not been utilized effectively. They noted that recent rainfall had rendered roads largely impassable, intensifying public frustration.
Some observers have suggested that the unrest may also be influenced by underlying political tensions within the municipality.
Although no injuries were officially reported, the incident left municipal staff unsettled. The Municipal Chief Executive, Mohammed Rabiu Jabaah, indicated in an interview with JoyNews that he would require authorization from the Regional Minister before issuing a formal statement. Justice Bayon also declined to comment on the matter.
