Former Council Chairmanship Aspirant’s Group Transforms Into Mathew 7:7 Foundation

Kunle Adelabu.

-Foundation’s Convener directs loyalists to support incumbent Ikorodu North LCDA Chairman

After his unsuccessful pursuit of the chairmanship position of Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area(LCDA), the campaign platform of the former Secretary to the Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Mathew Adesanya,which is known as  Mathew Alliu Adesanya Campaign (MATCO), has transformed into a foundation known as ‘Mathew 7:7’, in order to further its political activities through mass mobilization for constructive engagements and developments.

The metamorphosis was announced on Friday, October 4, 2017, at the appreciation party organised for political party leaders, delegates, party supporters and others who supported the ambition of Hon. Adesanya for the chairmanship position of Ikorodu North LCDA.

The event was held at the Odogunyan Town hall, along Spintex Road, Odogunyan, Ikorodu.

At the event, which recorded an impressive attendance, different speakers took their turn to speak glowingly about Hon. Mathew, while also urging him to continue his community development activities and keep his political aspiration alive.

While introducing the foundation to the gathering, Hon. Adesanya said, “The launching of Mathew 7:7 Foundation today demonstrate my continue love for the people of Ikorodu North as this will create a veritable platform to impact positively on the growth and development of my people and community at large.”

“It is my belief that you will extend your usual cooperation and understanding to this group in its quest to ensure the collective realization of our common goal which is non-negotiable”, he requested.

“As stated in the Bible in Matthew 7:7, our foundation, in its quest to achieve its aims and objectives, shall ‘ask’, ‘seek’ and ‘knock’ through continuous and constructive engagements of our elected and appointed representatives. We shall continually ask for what belong to Ikorodu division and our people”, he stated.

In a move that also came as surprise to  hundreds of his supporters, Hon. Matthew directed that they should give their support to the Hon. Adeola Banjo led administration in Ikorodu North LCDA, which he referred to as their government.

“Today’s occasion marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Ikorodu North LCDA, particularly after the recently concluded local government elections”.

“Election has come and gone. Government will also come and go but the development of Ikorodu North LCDA will remain constant in our heart. The incumbent government is yours and I want you to give your total support to Hon. Banjo. Ask from him whatever is due for your area and challenge him when the need arises. We cannot afford to fail for the next 4 years”, he pleaded with his supporters.

“In line with my philosophy of spirit of sportsmanship as demonstrated in all our activities during and after the election, it is pertinent to say that the election has come and gone while the growth and development of Ikorodu North is more crucial and important to me.”

Hon. Matthew stated that the gathering was to appreciate party leaders, delegates and others that gave him supports following the controversial All Progressives Party (APC) primary at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, his emergence as the party’s flag bearer and subsequent annulment of his mandate by some leaders who “saw my initial emergence as obstacle to their perceived objectives.”

“Today’s ceremony, therefore, is an indication of my unquantified appreciation to everybody that has identified with me in this historical sojourn, particularly, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Hon.Jimi Benson, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade,Mr Laja Martins, Council of Baales, League of Imams, LACOSTA, Central Development Committee, Alhaji Kamorudeen Lamina(Sir Kay Oluwo) to mention but a few”, he said thankfully.

The chairman of the occasion, Hon. Kunle Ogunbela, former Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, while appealing to the leadership of the party to always be fair and equitable in their judgment, stated that if the flag bearers of the party had been allowed to emerge through a fair election, Hon. Matthew would have been a clear choice.

He enjoined the Matthew 7:7 Foundation to ensure that the group is formed on positive and developmental principles like Onward Movement and iCare Foundation.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade,Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, commended Hon. Matthew for exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship by directing his teeming supporters to give their supports to the incumbent chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, who happens to be his opponent for the Chairmanship position.

He described the ruling party’s aspirants, especially Hon. Matthew and Alhaji Rilwan Jinadu, as progressives for finding it expedient to fetes their supporters during the last council election despite not been favoured.

“These are progressives’ politicians with clear-cut agenda for their people. I want to personally appreciate Hon. Matthew and Alhaji Rilwan Jinadu for deeming it fit to celebrate their supporters despite not been favoured in the last election. It is a sign that our party is progressing and preaching politics without bitterness”, he stated.

Hon. Agunbiade, who was represented at the event by the Director-General of his operational group, Onward Movement of Nigeria, Hon. Azeez Jimoh Olosugbo, pledged his group’s total support for Matthew 7:7 Foundation.

The Chairman, Central Development Committee (CDC), Ikorodu North LCDA, Elder Laja Martins, in his own remarks appreciated the convener for not allowing the disappointment of the last election affect his community development activities.

While reacting to the Convener’s directives to his supporters, the CDC chairman, who also promised that his support for Hon. Matthew would not cease, also added that he would  engage and relate with the incumbent council chairman when necessary.

Award of Excellence for quality representation, development of Ikorodu division and for the support given to the symbol of Hon. Matthew Alliu Adesanya Campaign Organization (MATCO) was conferred on  Hon. Agunbiade.

Others at the ceremony were Hon. Abiodun Iyiola, former Secretary to Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Wasiu Agbaje Olomu, Council Leader, Ikorodu West LCDA, Chief Imam, Ikorodu North LCDA, Imam, Odogunyan, Council of Baales, Ikorodu North, Christian Association of Nigeria, Odogunyan Chapter among others.