Kunle Adelabu
It was a disappointing evening in Ikorodu on Sunday, as the much – talked about debate failed to hold, due to the refusal of the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Princess Saidat Odofin and that of the Labour Party (LP), Qs. Abdulazeez Adekunle Awesu, to go ahead with the debate.
The duo arrived at the Ikorodu Town Hall venue of the debate within scheduled time, but declined to go ahead, because the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Adedayo Ladega, did not show up for the debate which was the third political debate in Ikorodu Division.
The debate, tagged, ‘Ikorodu Local Government Elections Debate’, was chaired by the former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu branch, Barr. Saheed O.K. Shillings, while Dr Steve Anu’ Adesemoye, Head of the Mass Communication Department, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) who was scheduled as the Chief Moderator, was represented by Dr. Prosper Zannu, former HoD, Mass Communication Department, and Mr Bayode Treasures Olawunmi, Founder, iRead Afrika and Mr Oke Godwin Olaoluwa, a public commentator, were co – moderators.
It was organized by the Real Initiatives and Concerned Ikorodu Division Youth (CIDY) with support from THE IMPACT newspaper, R.B.E.A.V, C,C,I and Mass Communication Department, LASUSTECH as technical partners.
The LP candidate, Qs Awesu maintained his stance that he would not go ahead with the debate since his APC counterpart did not honour the invitation, stating that “it is just politics”.
Princess Saidat Odofin, also announcing her withdrawal, commended the organisers of the debate for the initiatives which she described as necessary for quality elected representative to emerge, but also said that she won’t participate since the APC candidate was not available.
In his remarks, Barr. Shillings commended the candidates for honoring the invitation to tell the people what their plans are if elected, and also addressing the audience in matured way while refusing to go ahead with the debate.
While pleading with the audience not to feel disappointed, Barr. Shillings also described the debate as satisfactory despite the refusal of the candidates to go ahead with the session.
Speaking earlier, Mr Elesho Abolaji Oluwaseun, the Convener of the debate, stated that the initiative was aimed at reflecting what Ikorodu residents believe are the most important issues facing them as a people, and to give the candidates opportunities to publicly assure them on how they plan to deal to with those issues.
He thanked the LP and the PDP candidates for their presence, while announcing to the audience that the APC candidate’s media sent in a message to the organisers a few hours before the debate that Prince Ladega will be attending a meeting with other APC candidates at the LASIEC.
However, both the PDP and the LP candidates exchanged handshakes in demonstration of a spirit of sportsmanship despite that the debate did not hold.
Also in attendance were Dr. Oladeji Oluniyi Akinola, LP Chairmanship candidate, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Ajose Obitade Omobolanle, LP Chairmanship candidate, Ikorodu West LCDA, Engr. Oloja Abudulazeez, the LP Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Dr. Olanrewaju Oshin, PDP Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Comrade Lean Oba, Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Social Development, Mr Azeez Lamina, former APC Chairmanship aspirant, Dr. Samson Bisiriyu, former APC Chairmanship aspirant, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Olalekan Olamide Lawal, former PDP candidate, Ikorodu Constituency I, Olola Segun Iluyombo, Deputy Chairman, IKODASS and Comrade Adegboyega Awwal, former Coordinator, NYCN Imota LCDA among others.
