Reactions Trail Gbolahan Ogunleye’s Emergence As APC Candidate In Ikorodu

Kunle Adelabu & Wale Jagun

Reactions have continued to trail the emergence of a former Sole Administrator of Ikorodu Local Government and son of the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr Gbolahan Adetokunbo Ogunleye, as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Ikorodu Constituency I, with many querying his capacity to sustain the tempo of quality legislature that the Ikorodu Constituency I has produced since 1999.

Many were of the view that the pace and quality legislature set by Hon. Ola Animashaun (1999 – 2003), sustained by Hon. Olanrewaju Sunmi Odesanya (2003 – 2007) and taken to another height by Hon. Sanai Oyeniran Bolanle Agunbaide (2007 till date) in the Lagos State House of Assembly, will dwindle and reduce Ikorodu’s representation.

Gbolahan, son of Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, a chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), made the INEC final list released last week alongside other seven candidates to contest for the Ikorodu Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections.

He will be replacing Hon. Agunbiade, who has represented the party for four consecutive terms in elections and won in all to represent the Constituency and has also been the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015.

Agunbiade, who is a lawyer and former Students’ Union President, Lagos State University, is also the maiden Chairman, Nigerian Majority Leaders Forum and that of the Southwest Majority Leaders, feats achieved courtesy of his legislative and representative ability, capacity and capability.

While some, in their reactions, queried Ogunleye’s emergence, others called for support for him, being an APC candidate and on the premise that members of the party always rally round the party’s candidate.

Mr Hassan Temidayo, a lecturer and public commentator and analyst, setting the agenda for the reactions, called on members of the APC to rally round the party’s candidate since Hon. Agunbiade will not be returning to the Assembly following the publication of the INEC final list.

“It is now obvious that our dear Honourable SOB will not be contesting in the 2023 elections. Since it is a party affair, I urge all parties to close ranks to ensure all APC candidates emerge victorious”, he said.

“Body shaming and all bickering should stop, pls! I wish Honourable S.O.B success in his future endeavours”.

He charged the APC candidate, Gbolahan Ogunleye, not to lower the bar raised by the incumbent.

“And to the party candidate for IKD 1 Honourable OGA, it is a common knowledge that the incumbent has raised the bar, you cannot afford to lower it but to surpass it…Please, don’t let us down”, Hassan said.

“And to all supporters of Honourable SOB, better days ahead. We are one Big family”.

Alhaji Ibrahim Alani Onibudo, an Ikorodu – born based in Canada and a social media commentator, in his reaction following the release of the INEC list, asked:

“So, we have switched one of the finest lawyers that we have in the land with an SSCE holder? I am not trying to judge. I asked this question. Perhaps there are things I do not know that someone might point out to me, especially things pointing towards the strength and advantage of having Gbolahan Ogunleye on board. I’m here to learn, please”, he said.

“I just want to believe and be hopeful that we are going to have a very good representation by him, if he wins in the general elections. Apart from the legislative business, he would also be interacting with his fellow lawmakers, with the governor, and with party leaders.

“He must be full of content, wisdom and knowledge to project an excellent image of Ikorodu. Being the party’s chosen candidate, I wish him the very best in his future political endeavours”, he added.

While stating that it is the policy of the ruling party that its members must support its candidate, Onibudo, who is an APC member, also stated that the law allows the legislature to contest as many times as possible, in opposing the comments that the incumbent has stayed long enough in the Assembly.

“I believe it’s the party “things”. Every member has to line up under the party’s flag and abide by the party’s decisions.

“Perhaps, we should have channeled our energies towards the abolishment of that part of our constitution that allows political office holders (legislatures) to be elected for as many times as possible. Rather than crucifying Hon ML (Hon. Agunbiade) for attempting to rerun for as many times as he could as allowed in our constitution”, he said.

A social media commentator and an editor, Mr Julius Alade Oloyede, in his own reaction, condemned the call that members of the party must support any candidate presented for an election.

“Politics of senility… it’s a pity”, ” he said.

“I am never in sync with the politics of senility that led to all the nonsense we are witnessing now in Ikorodu.

“Until we improve and upgrade the parties, the party ‘things’ is damned!”, Oloyede added.

Guinness Book of Record holder in individual and group, Read Aloud Attempts, Mr Bayode Treasures Olawunmi, in his own reaction, said:

“Una OGA (Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo) can never untie the shoelace of the incumbent in plenty of ramifications. Don’t even think of lowering the bar. I’d advise you to get ready for the coming disaster in office”.

Oke Godwin OlaOluwa, an Economist and public affairs commentator, commenting on the issue on THE IMPACT WhatsApp platform, said:

“At the end of the day, the candidate that emerges will drop the barge of party partisanship and will wear the face of the lkorodu community. The probing questions we must ask for both constituencies: Do they represent the values and ethos of the community? Do they have the competence and capacity to replicate these values?”, he asked.

Femi Adinlewa, a staunch supporter of the APC candidate, described Gbolahan’s emergence as the work of God, stating the stages that he crossed to eventually emerged.

“It’s the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in thy sight!”, he said.

“Stage1- Primaries (we won). Stage2- Primaries hullabaloo (we won). Stage 3- Candidates list maneuvering (we won), Stage 4- They are waiting for the final list (we won). Stage 5- OGA don’t have money to execute the general elections (We are winning) and Stage 6- We will wait for them at the general elections (WE WILL WIN CONVINCINGLY)”, he wrote on THE IMPACT platform, during the chats.

“This OGA Project is God’s own project! Politely tell them when they come!!!”, he added.