Kunle Adelabu
Hon. Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo, the Member representing Ikorodu Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, has vehemently debunked any political partnership with Mr Abdulkareem Shittu who is aspiring to represent Ikorodu in the House of Representatives.
The lawmaker described the allegations making the rounds and which is also allegedly published by some news platforms as a “fabrication of lies and a calculated attempt by mischief-makers to create a rift within the All Progressives Congress (APC) family in Ikorodu”.
The denial was contained in a statement by Hon. Ogunleye’s media team sent to THE IMPACT on Sunday titled, “Baseless Lies and Political Mischief”: Hon. Ogunleye Gbolahan Reaffirms Support for Rep. Babajimi Benson, Denies Alleged Alliance with Shittu”.
The statement said that the lawmaker was responding to a series of speculative reports allegedly emanating from two recent PDP decampees to the APC, Mr Abdulkareem Shittu and Mr Abdulazeez Awesu, which claim partnership with Hon. Ogunleye, stating categorically that such an alliance does not exist and has never been considered. “All these claims are baseless lies designed to mislead the public”, the statement added.
He clarified that he has no political pact, partnership, or secret understanding with Hon. Shittu regarding the representation of the constituency in the National Assembly, noting that his focus remains entirely on his legislative duties and the collective progress of Ikorodu under the umbrella of the party.
The lawmaker clarifies his stance on the representation of Rep. Babajimi Benson at the National Assembly, praising the federal lawmaker’s track record, describing his performance as exceptional.
“Rep. Babajimi Benson has performed exceptionally well. He is representing us with distinction in Abuja, and his impact is felt in every corner of Ikorodu. Beyond his legislative prowess, JB has facilitated the construction of numerous roads and the provision of basic amenities that have transformed our communities. To suggest that I would oppose the return of a man who has brought so much progress to our people, is not just illogical, but also offensive to the truth”.
Addressing certain biases, the statement alleged that critics attempted to misconstrue the lawmaker’s silence.
“His silence should not be mistaken for consent, but rather as a focus on meaningful work over political distractions, by the former PDP candidates”.
He emphasized that as a product of the party’s structure and a firm believer in rewarding excellence, there is no reason to change a winning team or oppose a representative whose work speaks for itself.
Hon. Ogunleye urged the people of Ikorodu Constituency 1, to remain vigilant against what he described as a “surface-level sentiments and media manipulation of paid and biased writers”.
He reaffirmed that his loyalty remains with the constituents and the leadership of the APC, emphasising that, “accountability and clarity are best served by sticking to the facts of development rather than the fictions of political rivals”.
“The future of our constituency is too important to be toyed with, and I would rather not amplify FAKE NEWS”, he added.
He further said: “We are united in our goal for a Greater Ikorodu, a vision currently being realized through the effective representation of leaders like my dad, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, and all of us in government: Senator Mikhail Abiru, Rep. Babajimi Benson, AMA, our cabinet members, Hon Nurudeen Agbaje, Hon Bisola Olusanya and our 6 performing Council Chairmen, LGA Chairmen and Executives.
“Any report to the contrary is a lie from the pit of political desperation”, Hon. Ogunleye’s media team added in the statement.
