Kunle Adelabu
– Says he wants to serve, represents people’s voice
The Vice Chairman of the Lagos East Senatorial District of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a two – term Commissioner in the State, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, has stated that he wants to serve and give people of the Lagos East District a voice at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
Asipa Kaoli, on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, declared his intention to run for the vacant position at a parley with journalists at his home country in Owode – Ibeshe in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area.
The Senatorial aspirant is an agriculturist, lecturer, teacher, former acting head of department, economist, accountant, a two – term Commissioner, former member of the Civil Service Commission, former Councillorship aspirant, former Chairmanship aspirant, former aspirant for the Lagos House of Assembly, former aspirant for the House of Representatives and a former Governorship aspirant.
While appreciating the media men and women at the parley for honouring his invitation, the Chief Learning Officer (CLO) of the Kith & Kin Educational Schools (KKES) said that the parley was designed to create a better understanding about his person to the general public.
“I appreciate this gathering and at the end of the day, I hope to be able to achieve one objective which is to create a better understanding of myself and also to communicate that to the entire District, particularly Ikorodu division which is my home base”, he said.
“There are of course so many people in the town that may know me from distance but do not really know my personality and may be drawing their judgment about me from hearsay.
“I hope that this parley will be able to bridge some of that gap”.
While declaring his intention to run, Asipa Kaoli, who is a senior honourary chieftaincy title holder in Ikorodu Kingdom, said that he would want to serve and be the voice of the district at the Upper Chamber.
“I want to serve; I want to be a change agent. I am open and available to serve. I want to represent your voice. It’s not about me because God has blessed me and I am grateful for that but if He says that l have to do more, I cannot say no”, he said.
When asked by our reporter if he has the capacity, network, fund and the popularity to win the contest during a brief questions and answers session, Asipa Olusanya said:
“I have the capacity, structure, fund, network to engage and deliver.
“In terms of structures politically, without boasting and with all humility, if structure is the party, I am the Vice Chairman of the Lagos East Senatorial District. That is the structure” he said with confidence.
“For funding, I don’t have a big pocket as a teacher but I have the intelligence, network of people, teachers, people in academia, thinkers that can come up with ideas. It is ideas that make the society and not the depth of your pocket.
“In terms of the network, I think that I am blessed with that. If I know my ‘oga patapata’ (Asiwaju Bola Tinubu), if I can relate with leaders of the party and my colleagues that we served under Bola Tinubu from the Vice President to Ministers and Governors, then, I have the needed network to deliver. Once they hear Asipa, they know who he is.
“That is the network that you need. These are the people that you will find in the Presidency, Senate and State. Those are my networks and with that, I can engage and deliver”, he declared.
He also stated that the three elected representatives in Ikorodu are also people that he will work with to achieve his Senatorial dream.
“And of course, I won’t do it alone. God has blessed Ikorodu Constituency with somebody at the House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Benson, who is an egghead, cool and calm. I will collaborate with him.
“Also, with Hon. S.O. B Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja. We are going to unite in purpose and push forward progressive ideas and get things done”, Asipa Olusanya added.
Asipa Kaoli, who stated that he has surrendered his chances to the will of God and people, informed media men that he has consulted critical stakeholders in the Lagos East District before declaring his intention to run for the much – coveted position.
“I will surrender that to God who will decide and direct it. Also, to the people”, he said when asked about his chances in getting the party’s ticket and winning the forthcoming bye – election”.
He also added that he has made necessary consultations with chieftains of the party and other stakeholders.
“My first consultation was with my God. I consulted Him through meditation. He said that before you do anything, ask of me and of course, He will show me the way”, he said Biblically.
“Secondly, I have consulted with leaders of our party, the Governor’s Advisory Council from Ikorodu and the entire Lagos East Senatorial District. I have consulted with Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye. I have seen Otunba Busura Alebiosu, Sen. Anthony Adefuye, Omoba Sosanya Olumuyiwa, Alhaji Seriki Bamu and of course, my party chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, and others.
“I have seen and consulted with all the critical stakeholders in the Lagos East Senatorial District. After that, I have also consulted with traditional rulers,
“I have consulted with all the 16 party chairmen in the Senatorial District. Also, all youth leaders, women leaders. I have also consulted with all the Council Chairmen in the East Senatorial District individually”.
He also stated that he plans to embark on more consultations with people in the run up to the party’s primary election.
“The more you talk to the people, the more you create understanding and make people know about you and enable them take ownership of this project. Although, this is about an individual but for people to take ownership and see that they have stake in it, there’s need for wide consultations”, he said.
While telling people in the District that he would be accessible and available if he emerges winner, Olusanya also added that people should expect things that are in harmony with his personality.
“What you should expect from me is something that is in harmony with what I am. That is accessibility and availability to listen and not be far away from the people. I will be there to represent the will and expectations of the people.
“If I am able to do that, that means I will be available, accessible in discharging my responsibilities. I will give you a voice. Your voice will be heard.
“I promise to hold town hall meetings at least twice a year, apart from my close associates who will be in town with you all the time to give people feedback from time to time”.
He said further that a senior lecturer in the department of Political Science in Lagos State University, Dr Abiodun Fatai – Abatan, will be in-charge of his research and documentations.
“Dr Abiodun Fatai will definitely be with me. Whatever I will be reading on the floor of the House will be a product of deep research and not just talking without foundation”, Asipa Kaoli assured”.
While stating that he will always subject himself to whatever the decision of the party is concerning his aspiration, Kaoli stated:
“That is what I am. I will never change from who I am. Let all my supporters know that. I will always listen and abide by the party’s decision”, he said emphatically.
Some of the members of Asipa Kaoli’s campaign team at the parley were Princess Folashade Olabanji – Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Barr. Ade Ayeni, Secretary to the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Mathew Adesanya, former Secretary to Ikorodu North North LCDA, Dr Abiodun Fatai – Abatan, and Mr Dare Odufowokan, an editor with The Nation newspaper among others.
