Editorial: The Situation Is Bad, But Ikorodu Should Not Alienate Herself Further

L-R, Favoured appointees, Dr Frederick Oladeinde, Ms Bisola Olusanya and Mr Oluwatoyin Gafaar ‘Bolowotan’

It has now become an unfortunate tradition for the people of Ikorodu division, particularly those in the political circle, to engage in needless blame game each time the division is sidelined in the distribution of top political offices in the governance of the state. While those that benefited savour the joy of victory , those at the receiving end lick their wounds.

It’s always individual victory and never a collective one due to the distrust and self centeredness nature of politics in Ikorodu.

What made the situation more worrisome is the supremacy war between the Mandate Group (TMG) and Justice Forum (JF) Of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) , on one hand, and the bickering among a section of the leadership and those elected/appointed on the platform of the party on another hand as well as the the needless competition between and among the elected and appointed representatives on yet another hand.

Followers are also not left out of the war of attrition as Ikorodu people fight to attain individual victory at the expense of divisional interest.

It is always one against the other, a shameless and disturbing scenario that has prevailed since the advent of this current democratic dispensation .

Now, Ikorodu people are back at it again!

While other divisions are savouring the joy of their collective strive which enabled them to get juicy ministries in Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet, Ikorodu people are back in trenches , blaming one another for their collective failure caused by disunity and lack of strategy in pursuing political warfare.

But, are Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff, Dr Frederick Oladeinde, Commissioner for Transportation, Ms Bisola Olusanya, Special Adviser on Agriculture and Mr Oluwatoyin Gafaar (Bolowotan) not sons and daughter of the division? Why not embrace them and find more constructive way to engage the government?

The rejection and complaints that followed the composition of Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet is normal, especially when those that have been working for the progress of the ruling party and that are deserving are not considered for appointments despite assurances before the elections.

The situation became more worrisome when vibrant and productive individuals likes of Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Barr. Lekan Ijelu, Otunba Saheed Ibikunle, Mr Aroyewun Ahmed, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsanya, Prince Adeola Jokomba, Alhaji Rilwan Jinadu, Mr Olanrewaju Kuye, Barr. Saheed Shillings, Mayor Muyideen Sanwoola, Hon. Sunmi Odesanya, Barr. Adeboye Dankwo, Dr Taiwo Hassan, Mr Munir Ajisebutu, Comrade Japheth Odesanya, Dr Abiodun Fatai Abatan, Prince Adegboyega Ologijo, Mr Segun Iluyombo, Mr  F.O. Lasisi, Comrade Kehinde Okeowo, Mrs Funmi Basorun Osinowo, Mr Damilola Olowosago, Mr Segun Anifowoshe, Mr Akeem Bello, Mr Kabat Ajalogun, Hon. Azeez Jimoh Olosugbo, Mr Owolabi Anifowoshe, Mr Seun Elesho, Mr Godwin Ola-Oluwa, Hon. Gbenga Oshin and Prince Biola Kosoko among many other professionals , career and promising individuals and youths in the division were sidelined in the cabinet composition.

But since the deed is already done and decision made, what should the people , who already felt they are being continually marginalized and relegated, do? Is it to protest for the next four years, thereby, constitute themselves into opposition or register their legitimate concerns or strategically go about their agitation in such a way that they will not alienate themselves in the scheme of things in the next four years?

While exercising its legitimate rights as a major division that played a major role in the constitution of the state and still contributing significantly in term of social, economic and political developments of the state, the division also needs to approach the matter carefully.

It is pointless alienating those that were appointed, rather, the division must find means of making adequate use of their positions to her advantage while also negotiating more political patronages , especially appointment into Senior Special Assistant positions as well as chairmanship and membership of commissions and paratatals for some the aggrieved politicians and aspirants in the division.

Ikorodu should embrace those appointed and celebrate them because if they are rejected, there would be nobody to represent the division in the cabinet and pursue her developmental agenda.

It is also important for political and traditional leaders and other stakeholders in the division to thread softly because many have already been describing their acts and conducts as self serving . This warning become necessary because any attempt to take the majority of the populace, who are already hurt by their actions and inactions during the last general elections, for granted any further may backfire if care is not taken and restraint not exercise.

In the same manner, the leadership of the ruling party and the power that be at the state level also need to reconsider their treatment of Ikorodu people. Their penchant to always take them for granted and impose their own wish on them at will is gradually frizzling out but funny enough, they seem not to know this.

They should understand that youths in Ikorodu division,especially the enlightened , energetic, resourceful and active among them, are already fed up working for electoral victories without being duly compensated with commensurable positions and appointments while they also do not see their leaders fighting and defending their interests in this regard.

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