Kunle Adelabu
lkorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), the cultural organization responsible for the social and economic developments of Ikorodu, has joined other groups and individuals to establish that Ikorodu Division has been unfairly treated in the State.
IKODASS, in its letter to the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, with the reference number IKOD/09/20/Vol.2/05 and dated Wednesday, November 5, 2020, called the attention of the Governor to the omission of the Division among nominees for the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission (LSLGSC).
The Governor, had on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, released a list of nominees which he intends sending to the Lagos State House of Assembly for screening and subsequent approval while many residents from Ikorodu are alleging that none of its indigenes made the list.
They argued that the state was founded on the principles that appointments into political offices should be shared among the five Divisions that made up Lagos State – Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Epe (IBILE).
“It has been observed with chagrin the seemingly act of neglect by your Administration against the indigenes of Ikorodu. As an Association established to advance the cause of the indigenes of this Division and indeed, the acceleration of development and progress of Ikorodu division, it would be a disservice and a dereliction of duty if we keep quiet over the serial neglect of the interest of the good people of this Division (Ikorodu)”.
The letter, which also stated that democracy thrives on the rule of law and the absence of it brings forth impunity, unpredictability, confusion and anarchy, cited the provision of the Nigeria Constitution, especially section 14(4) which states that composition of local government council or agencies of government must observe diversity of people within the area and give them sense of belonging.
In the letter, which was signed by the IKODASS Chairman, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, it was stated that the appointments into political offices have been on the basis of IBILE principles.
It was added that the principles started changing in 1999 with the Ikorodu Division on the receiving end.
“Since the creation of the State in 1967, appointments had always been on the basis of the five divisions (IBILE) without making one division to enjoy more of the Government’s patronage than the other.
“However, effective from year 1999, Ikorodu Division began to be treated as a pariah division that should not enjoy Government’s consideration for appointments and infrastructural development”.
The cultural group also stated that it had in another petition in 2019, called the attention of the Governor to the exclusion of the Division from the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission (LAHASCOM) which, according to it, it has not been corrected till date.
“His Excellency will recall our last petition with Reference number: IKOD/09/19/Vol.2/05 and dated 20th December 2019 (copy attached for ease of reference), where we bitterly complained against the exclusion of an Ikorodu indigene on the Commission of Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHASCOM) but surprisingly and painfully too, our letter was regarded inconsequential to necessitate a judicious review of an action which tended to inflict injury on the psyche of our people. Our letter was like a child’s cry in the wilderness”.
The association stated that despite the neglect, the Division has been supportive of the ruling party in the state, stating that the third highest number of votes recorded in Ikorodu in the last gubernatorial election is a further testimony of the division’s support for the party.
It was also added that the population of the division among other factors are reasons that the government should recognize Ikorodu’s values, but that surprisingly, the Division has continued to be treated unfairly.
“It is,therefore, a matter of concern and utter astonishment when a Division with such incredible values to the party continually suffers in the hands of those who ought to know better.
“While we will not like to bore you with details of some previous actions which deprived the Division of its rights to membership of some Commissions in the State, I will wish to urgently apprise you of a replication of the unfair treatment on the membership of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission where no indigene from this division was found worthy of consideration despite its richness in the area of human resource”.
While further stating that Ikorodu Division is a stakeholder in the project, ‘LAGOS’, IKODASS also added that:
“Ikorodu Division, for equity and justice, should be represented on the Commission of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission.
“This will be the third time in recent times that Ikorodu Division will be deprived of its right to be included in the membership of Government’s Commissions”, the association added.
It was also established that:
“Ikorodu’s agitation is based on rights as an integral part of the five divisions in the State.
“Our support for the party for the past years would be in vain if appointments and rights legitimately due to the Division are taken away from it”.
In clear terms, IKODASS stated that failure by the Governor to adjust its list of his nominees for the Commission to include a representative from Ikorodu Division will be perceived as deliberate plans to deny the Division its rights in the state.
