Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-APC has not been fair to Ikorodu -Shillings
Stakeholders in Ikorodu have voiced their support for the agitation of Ikorodu Division to produce the next executive governor of the state while at the same time calling for unity and strategic engagements for the agenda to come to reality.
They made their stance on the matter known 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.
Barr. Saheed Owolabi Kolawole Shillings, a former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch and social commentator delivered the keynote address which emphasised Ikorodu has gained little from her support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and enjoined the people of the division to seek their political future elsewhere.
Discussants which include Mayor Muhydeen Sanwoola, Executive Assistant to the Governor on Parking Management, Comrade Lekan Biliamin Oba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Development, Omo’ba Hammed Aroyewun, Hon. Ameen Apanisile, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Mutunrayo Gbadebo -Alogba, Chairman, Ijede LCDA represented by her Vice, Hon. Femi Kareem, and Mr Adekunle Rasaq Aderigbe, a former candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I seat and public analyst, called for collective involvement and strategic engagements within the APC system for the attainment of the Ikorodu for Governor agenda.
SOK Shilings in his address stated that Ikorodu is a leading division in the state and rightly deserves the position. He recalled the attempts at the governorship race when he was part of the Ikorodu delegation that met with other divisions.
“Ikorodu is a frontline community in Lagos State. It is without prejudice, an elite community. This much is attested to by the people of Badagry and Ikeja on our visit to them in 2006 in our quest to have a Lagos State Governor from Ikorodu Division in the 2007 election. They opined then that we should lead and they were behind us in the struggle to emancipate Lagos State from colonialists.
Aside from the failed governorship attempts, Shillings also added that the division has not been fairly treated in terms of representation at the State Assembly and House of Representatives levels with just two members at the Assembly out of the 40 in Lagos and only one in the federal house.
“It is important to recognise that Lagos State has been ruled by only one political party since 1999; in fact, since the advent of civilian politics in 1979. It is pertinent to interrogate what is our gain from loyalty. From 1999, after 7 governments, we have had only 2 commissioners in all administrations. It was even reduced to one commissioner and one special adviser and they are usually down-the-ladder appointments. We had no Governor, Deputy Governor for 2 weeks, no Speaker of the House of Assembly, no Deputy Speaker, no Chief of Staff or deputy in 28 years of civil administration.
“Besides right of distribution, Lagos East is the most underdeveloped in the state and Ikorodu is even worse. Permit me to deviate and mention the fact that the Lagos State Governor recently considered it worthy to impose an Oba on Ijede but did not consider it expedient to change the macadam on the road from Igbodu built since early1980s.We are short on roads, health care delivery and generally on infrastructure. We need one of our own. Is it achievable?” Shillings added.
The keynote speaker also condemned a situation where the state is being managed like a commonwealth of the Yoruba race, opposed the emergence of non – indigenes to political positions in the state and alleged discrimination against those he called the real Lagosians.
Shillings described the continued relationship of Ikorodu with the ruling party without any corresponding benefits as cowardice on the part of Ikorodu and called for a change of political romance.
“Our problem is that we have chosen a path of cowardice. Everybody is waiting for somebody to do something and be battered while they gain the crumbs that are always reserved for their kind. We have little faith in God and have chosen a god who decides who becomes; even tampering with our traditional institutions without compunction. We have chosen to walk individually and are ready to sacrifice our own to worship the god.
“What have we gained? What shall we lose if we choose not to follow? Igi taa fehin ti,ti ko gba ni duro, bo wolu’ni kole pa’ni! If we cannot get what we want from Tinubu, are we so bewitched that we cannot look elsewhere?” he concluded.
One of the discussants. Mayor Muhydeen Sanwoola, speaking agreed with the speaker to some extent but was of the position that what have been militating against Ikorodu achieving her political aims are more internal than external.
“I listened carefully to the keynote speaker’s address. It was factual and well-delivered, but one critical point was missing: our real enemies are from within. This isn’t about outsiders in Ikorodu or elsewhere — it’s about our own people.
He called on Ikorodu to properly address the mistakes of the past that prevented her from the governorship seat if any progress is to be made.
While also stating that Ikorodu is blessed with brilliant and capable minds to administer the state, the youth builder also highlighted access as another militating factor for Ikorodu.
“The real problem is access. Without access, you cannot get power.”
Sanwoola who disagreed with the position of the keynote speaker that those he called non -indigenes should not be entitled to political offices in Ikorodu emphasised that they are as qualified to participate and be elected into any offices provided that they have lived for certain number of years and imbibe the custom of the people.
“I stand firmly by one belief: if you live in a place for five years, you are entitled to participate in its governance. The only thing you cannot do is disrespect or disregard the traditional and cultural heritage of that place. If I can become an American citizen in three years and enjoy full rights, why should someone born and raised in Ikorodu be told they cannot become chairman or hold any position?
That logic makes no sense. If the person has the capacity, the knowledge, and the integrity to do the job well, why insist it must always be “our very own”?” he asked.
He urged Ikorodu to be strategical in its engagement, deliver votes and contribute to electoral activities at the state and federal levels
Representative of Ikorodu Constituency I, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Mudashiru in his own submission assured that Ikorodu’s loyalty to the progressives party will pay off if the division can persevere, be strategic and pursue the political agenda with unity of purpose.
He asserted that contrary to the position of Barr. Shillings, Ikorodu has sons and daughters who have been appointed into category A cabinet positions like Commissioner for Finance, Education, Agriculture and Health. He also said that Ikorodu has been Speaker and Secretary to the Lagos State Government and at one point in time appointed as a military administrator.
While also asserting that Ikorodu deserves to produce the next governor based on its loyalty to the ruling party, Ogunleye called for unity and redress of past issues that have caused disunity.
“Unity and focus are crucial. We should not work against each other. Differences of opinion will always exist, but the key is unity and shared purpose. For instance, in Lagos Island, elections can be tough, but once the results are in, everyone rallies behind the winner. Previous contests are largely forgotten, and unity prevails. That is how politics works in Lagos.
“We must also address past divisions, such as territorial disputes. These divisions should be set aside for the greater good. Personal grievances must not obstruct collective progress. Negotiation, understanding, and unity are essential. We cannot allow division to weaken us.
“We must look beyond sentiment and focus on solutions. The efforts behind the scenes, particularly by members of the APC, are commendable. Our commitment to APC and its actions is critical for steady progress” Hon. Ogunleye appealed.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Development, Comrade Lekan Biliamin Oba, also 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.
While also urging for redress internally, Oba charged that everyone in the division has roles to play in the political pursuit.
Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, stressed fairness and equity within Ikorodu Division first, if the 2027 agenda is going to be achieved. Like Comrade Oba, he also called for inclusion and engagement of youths in the political liberation and pursuit of the executive governorship for Ikorodu.
Mr Adekunle Rasaq Aderigbe (A.R.A), a former candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I seat and public analyst, commended the I -Heroes for providing the platform for stakeholders in Ikorodu to have the conversation.
Arguing in line with the keynote speaker, ARA said that too much loyalty to a party prevents the growth of others.
However, the public analyst urged Ikorodu not see the clamour to produce the next governor in the state from the entitlement angle, rather, stakeholders should embark on strategic negotiation with other component parts of the state.
He was also of the view that performance by public office holders should be emphasised in presenting a credible and capable hand for the state’s number one position than just pushing anyone to occupy the position.
“If we show competence and capacity, they have no choice. They’ll give it to you.
“I think it is important to play more of the card of competence and build the bridge with other Local Government and other stakeholders involved. I mean, that’s a better way to go about it.”
Earlier, Mr Majolagbe Olansile, President of I -Heroes, welcoming guests to the discourse described its group’s initiative as timely in addressing the political challenges facing Ikorodu.
He said that the group as a politically enlightened one felt concerned about the place of Ikorodu within Lagos politics, thus, the need to bring stakeholders together in an open engagement to analyse how best to achieve the political pursuit.
Other dignitaries at the discourse were Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem, Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Mr Hassan Ekundayo, a lecturer and public analyst, Mr Samson Bisiriyu, former chairmanship aspirant, Ikorodu North LCDA, Comrade Adebodun, Coordinator, NYCN Imota and Mr Adegboyega Folarn, media aide to Chairman, Imota LCDA among others.
