Kunle Adelabu
-Launch ”No Vacancy Campaign’ in support of lawmaker
-Shittu offers fresh start, new ideas – media team
It’s been over a week since Hon. Abdulkareem Olugbenga Shittu announced his aspiration for the sole seat of Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, however, the reactions across the social media platforms related to Ikorodu, have been overwhelmingly in support of the current occupant, Rep.Babajimi Benson, as residents have insisted that there is no vacancy yet.
Many residents across the federal constituency or Ikorodu Division, who have been speaking about Shittu’s declaration, have been emphasizing that the three – term lawmaker, who has been generally adjudged as the best lawmaker that has ever represented Ikorodu and the best in the country, at the moment should be returned for the fourth term if he is not going for higher political position.
To sustain this, residents across the platforms have launched “No Vacant Seat” campaign in support of the re-election of Rep. Benson.
Recalled that THE IMPACT newspaper published a story last week, titled, ‘2027 Elections: Hon. Abdulkareem Shittu Declares For Ikorodu House Of Reps Seat’, where the aspirant confirmed his aspiration to our reporter, and which has been generating reactions from cross section of residents in lkorodu Federal Constituency.
Also, after the news report, Hon. Shittu’s media team also published a release on some platforms confirming his aspiration.
A member of Shittu’s media team, Mr Abdulquadri Nurudeen who posted the release, further confirmed the intention of the aspirant. He said that the aspirant is bringing fresh energy and new ideas into representation, while presenting reasons for his principal’s aspiration, on a platform.
In the release by Shittu media team titled, ‘A NEW CHAPTER FOR IKORODU: BUILDING ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS WITH FRESH ENERGY’, Shittu’s media acknowledged the legislative and representative impacts of Rep. Benson, specifically stating that he has, through consistent efforts, facilitated visible projects in the areas of infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, and community development in about 12 years of his representation.
However, while thanking Rep. Benson on behalf of Ikorodu constituents, Shittu’s media stated that democracy thrives on choice, competition and ideas, and offered himself to the electorate.
“Democracy, however, thrives on choice, competition, and the renewal of ideas. No constituency should become a permanent preserve for any individual, no matter how committed. Twelve years of dedicated service is a solid foundation worthy of celebration, not a lifetime entitlement. As Ikorodu continues to grow into a dynamic part of Lagos State’s megacity aspirations, our challenges have become more complex.
“Our youths seek greater opportunities, our families desire improved healthcare and education, and our businesses need infrastructure that keeps pace with modern demands.
“One leader’s best efforts, however sincere, cannot exhaust all possibilities. Progress often comes when we build upon proven foundations with new perspectives, renewed vigour, and complementary ideas. This is not about replacing the past; it is about extending it into a brighter future”, Shittu’s media team said in the statement.
The situation has continued to generate a lot of reactions with great numbers of constituents declaring their support for the re-election of Rep.Benson, and launching a media campaign for him, tagged, ‘No Vacancy Seat in the House’.
Mr. Dayo Hassan, a lecturer and public analyst who has declared his support for the three -term lawmaker, commended the declaration of Hon. Shittu, but added that the argument for his declaration is faulty and ignores a fundamental truth about representation.
He argued that Rep. Benson has become a national asset whose representation must be sustained and preserved.
“The eleven years or three terms of Honourable Babajimi Benson in the National Assembly, is not a liability, it is an asset to Ikorodu Federal Federal Constituency, Lagos State and Nigeria. We are not dealing with an absent or underperforming representative. We are talking about someone who has built legislative experience, strong federal connections, and the capacity to attract projects consistently to the Constituency. You don’t discard experience when it is still delivering.
“The idea that “no constituency should become a permanent preserve” sounds attractive, but democracy is not about forced rotation. It is about informed choice. If the people continue to choose a performer, that is not stagnation, it is the continuity of progress”.
The public commentator also emphasised the influence of the lawmaker, stating that it takes several years to build such capacity and ability.
“Let us be honest with ourselves, influence in the National Assembly is not built overnight, it takes years of relationship-building, committee relevance, and political capital. Replacing a high ranking, effective lawmaker with a newcomer in the name of fresh energy can actually set a constituency back. Fresh energy without institutional leverage often translates to reduced impact.
“New perspectives are not exclusive to new entrants. A seasoned legislator can evolve, adapt, and deliver even more with experience. In fact, the second decade of a lawmaker often yields greater dividends because they now understand the system deeply (Case of Rt. Hon. ‘Femi Gbajabiamila).
“Competition is welcome, no doubt, but it must be grounded in comparative advantage, not just ambition dressed in fine language”, Hassan emphasised.
He further canvassed for the return of Rep. Benson:
“Ikorodu Federal Constituency does not need disruption for the sake of it, especially when it seems neglected by the State government. It needs sustained, expanding progress. If a representative is still delivering, still attracting development, and still commanding relevance at the center, the smartest move is not to replace him, but to consolidate on that strength.
“Let ideas compete, yes. But let performance speak louder than rhetoric…”.
A retired head teacher, Mrs Bisi Bello Mustapha, in her own contribution, minced no words in stating that, “No vacancy!”.
Another public commentator, Oluwadiaspora, was sarcastic, while urging the aspirant to pick up the nomination form for the contest.
“Changing the gear abi from gear one to what gear? He should go and pick up the form when it’s time. Gbogbo ọrọ yi o necessary (too much talk is not necessary)”.
He further added: “Like a role model once said, “you cannot stop sinners from entering the church. You just don’t hand over the pulpit to them. That’s instructive enough to those who understand”.
Explaining his reason for rooting for Rep. Benson’s return, Oluwadiaspora stressed that:
“Ikorodu Division has just one ticket. So, at a time of Yoruba presidency, you want us to have someone that’ll still need to be introduced to the president and shown how the place works? And if we want to do that, we should give it to someone who just joined the party, while leaving all other loyal capable hands in the party?”, he asked rhetorically, referring to Hon. Shittu as a newcomer in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Tell him to go and pick up the form sir when it’s out and stop testing the ground with all these “many” words”, he added.
Mr Gbenga Odegbile, Secretary of The People’s Forum (TPF) and another public commentator, also reacting, alleged that Hon. Shittu wanted to hijack the ruling party.
“He came from PDP a few months ago and the next thing on his table is to grab or hijack our House of Rep ticket the same way David Mark and co-Collusion hijacked ADC from the original owners?
“Unfortunately for Sheikh Shittu, JB is still very much in active service to mankind.
“Somebody should tell him that APC lo n pebi oo (this is APC). We have many people ahead of him, so, he would rather join the queue”, he said.
Bayode Treasures-Olawunmi, Nigerian reading advocate, educator and public commentator, who also declared his support for Rep. Benson, also encouraged Shittu to join the contest.
“Anyone can throw their hat into the ring to contest if they’re fit. But who will beat the numero uno of Ikorodu politics and leadership, is yet to be found.
“Of course, irú Olọrun ni kò sí, but the likes of JB is very scarce in Ikorodu, and of course in the whole of Lagos.
“I wish the contestants against our JB, the best of luck oooo!
“Just be modest, responsible and civil on this journey, because even the Okada men on the streets of Ikorodu are ready to fight anyone who wants to fight our JB”, Bayode said in support of the lawmaker”.
