Wale JAGUN
More facts have emerged concerning the reason why most councils in Ikorodu division experienced peaceful conduct during the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Local Government (LG) Congresses on Saturday, May 12, 2018.
THE IMPACT gathered that the intervention by Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun, the first Secretary to the Lagos State Government and the Asiwaju of Igbogboland, played a major role in the peaceful conduct of the Congress across the division.
According to the report gathered, the APC chieftain, who was absent at the reconciliation parley held at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat on Friday, May 11, 2018, personally initiated strategic moves which doused the tension across the six councils in the division and paved way for peace.
However, the case of the Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) was an exception in this regard as combatants violently disrupted the LG Congress the same way they did last Saturday during the Ward Congress.
THE IMPACT gathered that Asiwaju Basorun, a leader of the Justice Forum (JF) caucus within the ruling party, on Friday (May 11) had a phone conversation with Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives and a chieftain of The Mandate Group (TMG), during which he asked him to ensure that candidates’ lists are harmonized among various groups and interests across the division.
The source also informed THE IMPACT that the revered party leader also directed that party members who had only served a term as Ward or Local Government executives should be allowed to return and that other available offices should be shared amicably.
This intervention further reinforced the outcome of Friday’s peace meeting.
It was gathered that Basorun, after his phone conversation with Asipa Kaoli, requested for the harmonized lists from the former Commissioner which he signed.
This rare political interaction between the two chieftains of different caucuses helped in no small measure in achieving the harmonized LG Congress in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and also ensured a rancor-free congress in Ikorodu Central LG.
According to reliable sources, the Ikorodu Central Congress failed to hold because concerned stakeholders have not been able to sit down to harmonize their lists because the reconciliation meeting and Basorun’s move happened a day to the congress.
The source, who confirmed the peace move by Asiwaju Basorun, commended the veteran politician for his timely intervention.
“It was indeed a rare political maturity displayed by our highly revered father. We never saw it coming but he showed many of the so called leaders that he is truly the undisputable party leader in Ikorodu division by this rare conduct coupled with his exemplary and intellectual management of men and resources over the years”.
Another party chieftain, who spoke with THE IMPACT, also commended Asiwaju Basorun’s action.
“I also learned about the development but I was never surprised. We may not be in the same caucus with him but we have always revered him and we all know that he is outstanding. I’m more convinced that Ikorodu division will get it right come 2019”.
“I hope other leaders would emulate this gesture and extend hands of fellowship to others they are considering as detractors so that we can move forward as a party; as a local governments and as a division”, he said.
