Kunle Adelabu
It was a difficult decision for Amodu Taofeek Olorunedalo, an educator who was aspiring to represent Ward D as Councilor in the coming dispensation of Ikorodu Local Government, as he succumbed to the appeals of political leaders and stepped down for the incumbent, Hon. Wasiu Babatunde Sotomiwa.
While stating that he had to jettisoned his aspiration in the interest of peace, Olorunjedalo also emphasised the supremacy of the party.
He submitted his letter of withdrawal from the race and support for the incumbent to the screening panel at the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikorodu, on Tuesday.
He spoke with THE IMPACT in the company of the incumbent whom he is stepping down for.
“The intention is to be here for the screening, having procured my form and submitted and all that, but in the interest of our great party, peace and for us to be in one accord and not giving room for discord going into the election, I have to succumb to the intervention of the party leadership in our ward to relinquish my aspiration and bow out of the race for the incumbent Councilor, Hon. Abdulwasiu Babatunde Sotomiwa. That is the situation.
“As you know, the party is paramount and supreme. I am stepping down for him and rallying round him to win the election for the love of the party which is very paramount”.
Acknowledging the sacrifice of Olorunjedalo, Hon Sotomiwa Wasiu, who is the Majority Leader, Ikorodu Local Government and Councilor representing Ward D, described him as a credible aspirant and childhood friend.
“The screening was great. Those that came to screen us are very good at it and the whole process was perfect.
“He is my brother, my childhood friend, and we know each other very well. He is a credible candidate and worthy of that office, but because in politics, we have leadership which intervened by talking to us and he accepted their interventions.
“All the other aspirants are credible and worthy of that office, but it can only contain a person at a time. It is because of this that the leadership called us to speak with us and he willingly stepped down for me.
“I thank my brother for the honour and I greatly appreciate him. He is someone that I respect so much and I am very happy with his decision,”, Hon. Sotomiwa said.
