Kunle Adelabu
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Development, Comrade Lekan Biliamin Oba has called for all -embracing campaign and youth involvement if the Ikorodu for Governor agenda must succeed.
He warned against people of Ikorodu seeing the campaign as an entitlement rather than what they have to lobby, campaign and fight for.
Oba, who was former Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), gave the advice and warnings at the I – Heroes 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Public Discourse on “Ikorodu’s Stake in Lagos Politics: Amplifying Our Strength and Capacity”, held at The Exclusives Club, Ikorodu at the weekend.
The keynote speaker at the discourse, Barr. Saheed Owolabi Kolawole Shillings, blamed the dominance of those he referred to as ‘non -indigenes’ which according to him has prevented real Lagosians from being governor of the state.
He stated that the arrangement at the state level has been unfair to Ikorodu in attaining the governorship position adding that it should be Ikorodu’s turn to produce the next Lagos Governor since Alhaji Lateef Jakande who in 1979 administered Lagos as a representative of Badagry Division. Since then, other parts of the state have produced democratically elected governors except Ikorodu.
Comrade Oba who was one of the discussants, emphasised that the “Ikorodu for Governor” must be for the entirety of Ikorodu Division and not just about Ikorodu Central, if the agenda is to see the light of the day.
“As I listened to the keynote speaker, one thing stood out clearly: in all our discussions about the “Ikorodu for Governor” agenda, we must never lose sight of the fact that this is about the entire Ikorodu Division — not just Ikorodu town itself.
“The reason I emphasise this is the internal politics we all know exist within the division. Before we talk about other divisions or external challenges, we need to address our own obvious internal dynamics. I have served as Youth Council Chairman and had the privilege of being a former Speaker in one of the local governments, so I’m familiar with what happens — even at the level of student politics in the division.
“Often, when people hear “Ikorodu for Governor,” they assume it’s strictly an agenda for Ikorodu Town. Those from other communities in the division then feel sidelined, thinking, “This is Ikorodu’s business — it has nothing to do with the rest of us.” We cannot afford to make that mistake. If this project is truly collective for the division, but if it appears to belong only to Ikorodu as a central town, many who should be fully involved will step back and leave it to those already championing it.
“Therefore, let’s keep this in mind as context for every conversation moving forward,” Oba warned.
The Governor’s aide also warned against the perception that other parts of Lagos will let go of their own political ambition for Ikorodu on the ground that it is the turn of Ikorodu.
“Secondly, someone rightly said power is not served à la carte — it’s not handed to people on a platter. We must shed any sense of entitlement. The belief that, “it’s our turn” won’t make it happen automatically. We are already doing many of the right things as a community, but we need to be far more strategic.
“One key step is to address internal bottlenecks head-on. Any issue that could hinder or divide us must be resolved internally first. We cannot go out there for a common cause while remaining fractured at home.”
He emphasised that everyone in Ikorodu has a role to play for the aspiration to be attained while also warning against using the case of a military administrator as a justification for those stating that the Ikorodu Division too has produced a Lagos State Governor.
“Another critical point that we must consider is that every player matters on this journey. Everyone has a role. We often fail to recognise that each person belongs to different social circles outside Ikorodu. When conversations about this agenda arise elsewhere, we all need to know exactly what to say and how to represent the division effectively.
“In pursuing this agenda, the stronger, and accurate argument is: Ikorodu deserves to produce the next governor because we have served loyally, remained committed to the progressive cause, and earned it this time around,” he said.
Comrade Oba also made a case for the engagement of youth in the agenda and the need to approach the campaign strategically if Ikorodu will have to produce the next Governor.
“Finally, whatever critical stakeholders are doing to push the “Ikorodu for Governor” agenda, it must include meaningful input from the younger generation. That’s one thing I love about what I see here today — the youth are actively involved, and they have a vital role. The older generation brings wisdom; the younger generation brings energy. That energy is essential to actualise this goal.
“But it can’t be about noise alone —it must be strategic. We need lobbyists: no more than five carefully selected, critical individuals who can go outside Ikorodu to engage and advocate on our behalf. Beyond town hall jamborees, we need targeted, behind-the-scenes lobbying.
“I wish Ikorodu Division the very best in this endeavour. Thank you very much.”
