Kunle Adelabu
-Urge party to consider them for appointments
14 out of the 15 Chairmanship aspirants in Ikorodu Local Government that contested in the primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have accepted the supremacy of the party and pledged their support for Prince Abdulateef Adedayo Ladega and Mr Babawale Bisiriyu Alogba, as the Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship candidates for the forthcoming Local Government Elections.
Prince Ladega emerged as the winner at the May 10 APC primary elections held at the State secretariat of the party at ACME, Ikeja, while Alogba was announced to co – fly the party’s flag with him.
Aspirants at the conference aside Prince Ladega and Alogba, were Comrade Japheth Akeem Odesanya, Mr Yinka Majekodunmi, Mr Oladele Ogunfodunrin, Mr Idowu Alli, Alhaji Kamaldeen Tijani Ajalogun (Kabat), Mr Mutiu Animashaun, Mr Azeez Lamina, Mr Gbadebo Taofeek Oluwafemi, Hon. Ajayi Adebowale, Alhaji Murisiku Ajisebutu (Marshal), and Prince Afolabi Oyefusi.
Mr Yusuf Owolewa Atebo, who is now out of the country also signed the press statement that was read by Alhaji Murisiku Ajisebutu (Marshal), on behalf of others, while Princess Folashade Olabanji -Oba, the incumbent Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LG, was the only aspirant that did not sign the document nor attend the meeting.
At a press conference held at the AiRoyal Hotel, Aga, Ikorodu, on Wednesday, all the aspirants, who have formed themselves into a group called ‘Class of 2025’, also said that they have chosen to be united and peaceful because of their love for their party and Ikorodu.
“We, the underlisted Chairmanship aspirants under the platform of our great party, APC, in Ikorodu Local Government, have gathered here today to address the public and reaffirm our collective commitment to peace, party unity and progress following the just concluded APC Chairmanship Primaries in Lagos State.
“In the spirit of party loyalty and peace, we have chosen to accept the outcome of the primaries in good faith. As loyal party members, we uphold the supremacy of the party and have prioritized unity over division.
“Our decision to shun violence and embrace peace is rooted in our shared love for Ikorodu Local Government and our belief that the interest of our people must always come first.”
The group, led by Alhaji Kamaldeen Tijani Ajalogun (Kabat), as captain, also commended the efforts of the preferred candidate in reaching out to other aspirants after the party’s primary, to seek for their support.
“We acknowledge and commend the peaceful disposition and maturity of the Chairmanship candidate – elect, Hon. Prince Abdulateef Adedayo Ladega, who has personally reached out to each of us. His humility, conciliatory approach, and readiness to carry everyone along have helped to foster unity and healing.
“It is on record that he visited and called many of us, appealing for our support and pledging to work collaboratively in the interest of our people. We have, in turn, agreed to support him and work for the total victory of our great party in the forthcoming local government elections”, they said while pledging their support.
Meanwhile, the aspirants have urged the leadership of the party at the state and local government levels not to forget their sacrifices and consider some of them for appointments in the administration of the incoming chairman and others for board appointments, both at state and federal levels.
“However, while we remain committed to the success of our party, we respectfully urge the leadership of our party at the local and state levels not to forget those of us who participated in this race.
“We made sacrifices, spent resources, and remained law – abiding throughout the process. We ask that we be considered for other positions within the council administration, board appointments in the state and federal parastatals in the spirit of fairness, justice, inclusion and reward for loyalty.”
While they have accepted the outcome of the primary elections, they also called on their supporters to also accept Prince Ladega as the candidate of their party and work for his victory in the forthcoming LG elections.
“Let it be on record that we have chosen to lead by example by putting the party first and setting a new tone of maturity in our local politics. We call on all our supporters to do the same and work tirelessly for the victory of the APC in the forthcoming elections,” the aspirants jointly urged.
While responding to questions from journalists, Prince Ladega thanked his co -aspirants for the honour done to him and pledged that he will not abandon the Class.
“I will not abandon the group. Thank God that we now have a team. I will not abandon the Class. We will fight for one another in terms of political appointments and support.
“We are now a team and we will struggle together”, he said.
The APC Chairmanship candidate also pledged to unveil his manifestoes soon for the transformation and development of Ikorodu soon.
After the press conference, Prince Ladega treated his vice chairmanship candidate, other aspirants and a few guests around, including his campaign Director General, Mr Yusuf Gbadebo, to dinner at the pool side of the hotel.
