Kunle Adelabu
A former staff of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Lagos State, Mr Kareem Adeleke Alogba, who is vying to represent Ikorodu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has revealed that his primary focus if elected is to ensure that Ikorodu gets its proper position among the five divisions of the state.
Alogba who is the son of the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba, while stating facts and figures why Ikorodu Division deserves more government presence, also assured that residents will get direct impact from his representation.
Young Kareem Alogba is aspiring to represent Ikorodu Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He shared his agenda at the inauguration of the members of his campaign team at constituency, local government and ward levels on Monday, at his campaign headquarters at Ireshe Road, Aga, Ikorodu.
At the strategic meeting were members of the Alogba family, party leaders and members.
Alogba emphasised that Ikorodu is not only bigger in size but also in population comparatively, stating there is need to address the marginalisation.
“We all know how big Ikorodu is even though we may not have in-depth knowledge of its largeness in terms of landmass, human and material resources and other factors that contribute to its greatness.
“Ikorodu is bigger than other parts of the state. This I am saying with authority because I am part of the team that re-mapped the state in 2021 and I spent more than one month in Imota alone working.
“At the end of the mapping, Ikorodu has 1700 square metres, Alimosho has 1400 square metres. The 1700 square metres is just landmass alone because. This is without the body of water that surrounds Ikorodu.
“Also, the population that Ikorodu has which the last General Elections and our party’s registration have affirmed, shows that Ikorodu is not just bigger than Alimosho but also more populated. Despite this, we are not getting what we deserve as a Division,” the aspirant said.
He stressed that the state government is not fair to Ikorodu in terms of the number of cabinet members and Permanent Secretaries and considerations.
“I left the Lagos State Government service because I want to represent my people and correct some anomalies. The representation that we have at the moment is handled poorly. I know what to do if I am given the mandate.
“I know what is happening in the service and of all the Permanent Secretaries in Lagos State, Ikorodu only has three: Olowoshago, Okusanya and Kasali. We need to do something about this.
“Ayangbure and other Obas in Ikorodu Division are also top royal fathers in the state that deserve more. What are we doing to correct all these? How are we going about getting what is due and right for Ikorodu?” Alogba asked.
He assured that he intends to correct what he termed as marginalisation of Ikorodu if elected.
“In truth, this is not what a single person can do on his own. If I am elected, I intend to correct all these and give Ikorodu the necessary and required voice, but I can’t do it alone. I need the support of everyone.”
While thanking representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Alogba said that he would complement his quality representation if elected.
“I want to use this medium to openly thank, commend and let our representative at the federal house of representatives, “Julius Berger” (Rep. Babajimi Benson), know that we are seeing and feeling his quality and impactful representation, but if there is no support for him from other elected representatives, he may get tired and this is where I want to come in as the Ikorodu Constituency I lawmaker in 2027.”
Also speaking on comments that he ought to have declared for the position long before now, young Alogba described his entry into the race as ordained by God.
He emphasised that if elected as the representative of Ikorodu Constituency I he would make his representation impactful.
“Some are saying that I should not be late to enter the race and that I should have come out a long time ago, but all that I have to say is that: this is the time God wants me to represent Ikorodu and it is never late with God. This is the appropriate time
“I am not promising anything, but I want to state and emphasise that I will get whatever Ikorodu deserves, give what is deserving to party members and never deny the generality of Ikorodu people what they also deserve,” he assured.
He assured party members at the strategic meeting that he won’t disappoint them.
The Director -General, Kareem Alogba Campaign Group, Mr Olayinka Taiwo, speaking earlier said that the strategic meeting was to introduce and inaugurate the leadership and structure of the group from the constituency, local government to ward level.
While urging members of the campaign team to give their total commitment, the DG informed them that the symbol of the team is an acceptable candidate to the party structure and they will never regret working with him.
He charged them to go into various wards to propagate and preach about him to party members who are going to take part in the party primaries and other residents.
Mr Olayinka also urged party members that are yet to do their voters’ card to take advantage of the opening of the voters’ registration next month.
A leader of the Alogba campaign team and former Chairman, Ward F, Chief Rasheed Okoko, also speaking appealed to all LGAs and ward coordinators to coordinate their members at various levels and achieve that success for the symbol of the team.
Like the DG, the party leader also charged members of the campaign structure to give their total dedication to the propagation of the symbol.
He also urged the aspirant to ensure that he represents Ikorodu very well when he gets the mandate and not forget members of his campaign team.
