Kunle Adelabu
It all went well at the screening for the councillorship aspirants in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, on Tuesday, when the exercise kicked – off.
The screening committee, led by Dr Fola Onasanya, arrived at the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA secretariat around 10:00am and after meeting with the council chairman, Builder Sesan Daini, the committee went straight into action.
The screening took place inside the secretariat’s Registry Hall, while the 11 aspirants seated inside the council secretariat hall were called in one after the other.
All the 11 aspirants vying for the five councillorship seats were present for the screening. For the Ward C1 seat, are the incumbent, Hon. Basirat Banjoko and Mrs Opemipo Faniyi – Hamzat, Ward C2 are the incumbent Hon. Hakeem Solawon and Mr Taofeek Olawale, while Ward C3 are three new entrants – Saidat Adeoba, Ajala and Idris.
Also for the Ward C4, are new entrants – Yemi and Yusuf Bello, while the last Ward C5 are the incumbent, Adekunle Anifowoshe and a new entrant who is seeking to unseat him, Alliu Hassan.
Speaking with Mrs Opemipo Faniyi – Hamzat, who is aspiring for the councillorship in Ward C1, she described the process as good for the development of democracy.
“It was pleasant, fine, and the questions being asked were expected. The exercise is good for democracy. With my performance, I am hopeful that I will be cleared for the primary elections.
She said that her expectation after the screening is that people in her ward that she is seeking to represent, will give her their mandate.
“My expectation is that everything will go peacefully, and I hope that the people will vote for their person which is me”.
Aspirant vying to represent Ward C2, Taofeek Olawale Ipaye, who also spoke with our reporter, also commenting on the process, said:
“It was fine; a friendly kind of screening and nothing serious. I was asked to discuss about myself, and that I should also tell them why I intend to go into politics. I answered them to the best of my knowledge without pretending about my intention because it is something that is coming within.
“I told them my mind and concluded with, “if you cannot contribute, then don’t condemn”.
Also speaking on his performance and expectations, Ipaye said that the panelists were impressed with his performance.
“I think I will rate myself high because they were impressed with my responses and with the kind of person I am”, he added.
The incumbent Ward C1 Councilor and the Deputy Majority Leader, Igbogbo/Bayeku Legislative arm, Princess Basirat Adetutu Banjoko, who is seeking re – election into the office, also commended the process.
“Actually, I will not say it is a rigorous process, because it is only when you don’t know what they are being asked that it would be difficult for you, but if you have answers to the questions, it won’t. I think it was fine”.
On her expectations, Basirat said:
“I don’t expect anything other than that they should score me high, because I know I performed very well.
“If we are to go for primary, I only want to ask my people to please go out and cast their votes for me and re-elect me for the second term as their Councilor”, she said.
