As at the last check, more aspirants have joined those who had earlier declared interests in contesting for the Ikorodu Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Presently, no fewer than nine aspirants from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and three others on the platform of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are battled ready for the much coveted seat. Who will emerge the representative of Ikorodu Constituency I in the hallow chamber of the State Assembly come 2019 among those who have declared to run for the position so far?
The Reporter-in-Chief, THE IMPACT newspaper, Kunle ADELABU, examined the strengths and weaknesses of these contenders.
The battle for the Ikorodu Constituency I seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly is again gathering momentum among the aspirants, but not as much as it was in the run-up to the 2015 General Elections where about 12 aspirants, including the incumbent, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, battled for the seat.
Since the inception of the current democratic dispensation, three dynamic lawyers with sound minds have represented Ikorodu Constituency I in the State Assembly. They are Hon. (Barr) Ola Animashaun (1999 and 2003). He, however, lost the seat when he abandoned the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and joined the PDP.
Hon. Olanrewaju Sunmi Odesanya (2003 -2007). He was elected when the AD metamorphosed into Action Congress (AC). After his first term, the vibrant and accessible lawyer decided to take a shot at the House of Representatives but lost the primary to the then incumbent, Hon. Abike Dabri-Erewa.
Another lawyer and pro-democracy activist who currently occupies the seat, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, took over from Odesanya in 2007 and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2011 due to his impressive performance. He, again, rode on his popularity, legislative competence and quality representation to clinch the ticket for the third term in 2015. At that time, Ikorodu was eyeing the Speakership position of the Assembly and it was resolved that he was the best bet for the division to clinch that exalted legislative position. However, his third term ticket was never served free as he had to contest against stiff opposition and some power forces but at the end, he won the primary election overwhelmingly.
Although, he did not get the Speakership position, the cerebral lawmaker became the Business Leader (Majority Leader) of the house after the 8th Lagos State House of Assembly was constituted.
The aspirants, in demonstration of their serious to win the contest for the seat, have been consulting party leaders and other major stakeholders for support and have also been canvassing for votes openly and releasing their manifestoes to the public.
They have also been traversing the three councils and seventeen wards in Ikorodu Constituency I to woo delegates who would eventually determine their faith in the primary election.
The nine aspirants who have so far declared their interest for the position under the platform of APC are the incumbent, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Hon. Adeola Jokomba, former Chairman, lkorodu North LCDA, Hon. Saheed Ibikunle, a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Education, Barr. Lekan Ijelu, Mr Toyin Gafaar, Mr Lateef Anifowoshe, Mr Yinka Majekodunmi, Mr Hamzat Jimoh and Mr Nurudeen Yekini-Agbaje.
Those aspiring to run for the position on the platform of PDP are Princess Ogbara, Mr Muritan Ademola and Prince Kamilu.
The incumbent and those supporting him are hinging his ambition on the need for continuity based on his sterling performances and the claim that his re-election would place Ikorodu division at a vantage position in the scheme of things both in the assembly and State government instead of electing a new representative who will have to queue behind other ranking officers in the house.
Some of the aspirants and others opposing Hon Agunbiade’s ambition to return to the house for the fourth time are doing so based on the argument that he is not the only capable hand in the constituency and that there is need to give another person the chance to prove what he or she can offer.
Other aspirants are in the race to place themselves at an advantageous position to be selected for the position in case Hon Agunbiade’s fourth term ambition does not materialized. And if it does, they are also positioning themselves for Commissionership and other political appointments.
For the aspirants in the opposition, it is yet another opportunity to wrestle the seat from the firm grip of the ruling party which has been occupying the seat in the last 19 years.
Many of the aspirants were also said to have joined the race in order to be considered for appointive positions after the elections. Some observers have aptly tagged this set of aspirants as pretenders.
Meanwhile, the first major hurdle which these aspirants must cross is how to canvass the party’s delegates for support in the coming primary elections. This, however, could have been responsible for the fierce battle that characterized the recently held APC’s congresses as politicians intensely struggled to get their loyalists into the wards and local council excos of the party.
Contenders
Hon. Sanai Agunbiade
He is the incumbent representative of the Ikorodu Constituency I and the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He has broken many political myths and crossed many hurdles to get to where he is today. He is a history maker in the political history of both Ikorodu Constituency I and Ikorodu division in general because his record as a three term lawmaker has never been achieved before by anyone in the Constituency or division.
Aside being a performing lawmaker and a good representative of his people, Hon Agunbiade ranks among the very best in the state legislature and also across the country due to his legislative competence and quality representation which have been attested to by many.
He has consistently emerged as the best male lawmaker in the state for three years consecutively (2014, 2015 and 2016) based on his impactful motion and lawmaking prowess.
He was also the Ikorodu Man of the year in 2017 and also won the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) highest award in the same year in recognition of his legislative and representative excellence.
His exemplary representation in the State Assembly, which has massively impacted on Ikorodu and its people, had also earned him the prestigious Chieftaincy title of ‘Opomulero (Pillar) of Ikorodu’ which was deservedly conferred on him in 2016 by the traditional institution of the town ably led by HRM Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu.
He is a prince of both ruling houses in Ikorodu – Lasunwon and Rademo.
To underscore his readiness to continue representing his people, Hon. Agunbiade has released a pamphlet documenting his third term achievements tagged, ‘A Conviction For Greater Impact”.
Also in the pamphlet, the lawmaker humbly sought the people’s mandate.
Going by the strength of his political machinery, achievements and political calculation for the relevance of Ikorodu division within the state political system, Hon. Agunbiade remains the man to beat.
Agunbiade has been maintaining his formidable structure, Onward Movement, for over a decade and he’s a strong member of The Mandate Group (TMG).
As a ranking lawmaker, it is also expected that the decision makers in his party (APC ) and the Assembly would also want him to return to the House, more so, that many of the senior lawmakers may not be returning to stabilize the House.
More so, some political analysts have equally argued that the recent emergence of Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, the former Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture & Cooperatives, as Vice Chairman of APC, Lagos East Senatorial District, whom Hon Agunbiade had served as Personal Assistant, would no doubt aid his fourth term ambition.
His major challenge is coming the opposition pose by a section of the ruling party to his fourth term bid.
Hon. Adeola Jokomba
Hon. Adeola Jokomba, a former two-term Chairman of the Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area and a prince of Lasunwon, is a popular figure within the Ikorodu political space.
He aspired for the Ikorodu Constituency I seat in 2015 but he did participate in the primary election.
He recently rolled out his campaign programmes based on his track records as a local government chairman.
Going by the dramatic way he clinched the chairmanship ticket at the expense of many political heavyweights on his return to the country after spending several years abroad, many political observers have tagged him as a major contender.
As a former chairman and grassroots politician, observers are saying that he still has his structure in place. This, coupled with the structures of other APC Chieftains that are supporting his aspiration, are pointers to the fact that he is a contender.
Hon. Saheed Ibikunle
Hon. Saheed Ibikunle, an educationist per excellence, former Secretary to the Ikorodu Local Government and former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Fashola on Education Management, is an aspirant that cannot be pushed aside in the race for the Ikorodu Constituency I Assembly seat.
He was also a former aspirant for the chairmanship position of Ikorodu Local Government.
He was rumoured to had showed interest in the position in 2015 but he did not obtain the party form.
He is a graduate of Physics from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and has PGD and M.Sc in Computer Science and M.Ed in Educational Administration and Planning from same University.
Although, his political structure, popularly known as ‘Omoluabi’, is no longer that formidable due to the exodus of its members most of whom have joined other political caucuses and groups, his vast experience and connections have been identified as his major strengths which will enable him to navigate the murky political terrain.
According to feelers reaching us, he is not desperate to get the position by all means but he’s ready to give it a good fight.
We also gathered that he has been meeting major stakeholders to intimate them on his aspiration and also to seek their support.
Barr. Lekan Ijelu
Barr. Lekan Ijelu is a professional legal practitioner and has been practicing for over ten years.
Barr. Ijelu is not a newcomer in the race for the Constituency I Assembly seat. In actual fact, he is gradually turning into a veteran in his aspiration for the position because he had aspired for the position for three years consecutively ( 2007, 2011 and 2015).
From all indications, Barr. Ijelu is not tired yet as he has already declared his interest to contest for the position again.
He is a known lieutenant of the old political war horse, Asiwaju Basorun, but it remains to be seen whether that would assist his course for the Assembly seat.
Barr. Lekan Ijelu emerged in the second position in 2015 primary election for the Constituency I Assembly seat with 129 votes. This feat, according to some people, makes him a contender and a force to be reckoned with in the coming primary election.
Mr Toyin Gafaar
Mr Toyin Gafaar, popularly called ‘Bolowotan’, is a philanthropist of repute and a sports promoter. He is the owner of the defunct Bolowotan Football Club of Ikorodu.
Presently, he is on the board of PrimeSigns Limited Company as Head of Administration and Accounts.
He has his primary constituency in the sports circle, especially football, where he has made lots of contributions.
He has been going round the 17 wards and the three councils in the constituency to sell his candidacy to the delegates and others.
He released his manifestoes in February, tagged, ‘My Red Pact”.
Politically, many observers have stated that he is a novice but it seems that the formidable structure of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency representative is readily available for his use.
However, this position has been countered by another section on the ground that people are mistaken his closeness to the Federal lawmaker. They added that he is running an independent political campaign.
Also, some analysts are of the view that the failure of Alhaji Musbau Gafaar to return as the Vice Chairman, Lagos East Senatorial District of APC has dealt a major blow on Mr Gafaar’s aspiration for the Assembly seat.
However, his supposed strong financial base has been identified as a major factor that would enable him mount a solid challenge for the position.
His commitment and dedication to the course is another factor that is making him as a force of reckoning
Mr Lateef Anifowoshe
Mr Anifowoshe is a Town Planner by training and he posseses vast experience in Urban and Environmental planning. He is currently in the service of the Lagos State Government.
He aspired for the same position in 2015 and emerged fourth with 22 votes. Since then, he has kept the desire to represent his people alive.
Though, he does not have his own structure, he’s , however, counting on the structure of the incumbent Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina and Pa Anifowoshe, a chieftain of the party in Ikorodu West LCDA, to compete favourably against other aspirants.
He is quite, charming and easy-going individual with strong public sector experience.
His desire and commitment to emerge as his party’s candidate for the State Assembly seat remains his major strength.
Mr Yinka Majekodunmi
Yinka Majekodun is a financial expert currently in the service of the Lagos State Government.
Though, a greenhorn when it comes to contesting for political offices, he has been able to endeared himself to a segment of the public because of his campaign strategy which runs on various social media platforms.
He is among the first set of aspirants to declare their intentions to contest for the Ikorodu Constituency I seat in the State Assembly and he has also been consulting stakeholders since early 2017.
He is a holder of a Bachelor degree in Economics from the Lagos State University and Masters in Industrial and Labour Relations.
He’s among the few aspirants who run a whatssApp platform to interface with the people and promote their aspirations.
Mr Majekodunmi has no political structure in place but observers are of the opinion that due to his campaign via the social media platforms, he has been able to penetrate other formidable camps and has attracted the supports of some delegates in the process.
Mr Hamzat Jimoh
The young Hamzat is a political scientist, emerging public speaker and businessman.
He is a knowledgeable young man who is gradually walking his way into the elite class in Ikorodu.
His aspiration for the Assembly seat, according to him, is his practical way of encouraging himself and the younger generation to get involved and take political power from the present class.
He is a proponent of #NotTooYoungToRun, a group that is clamouring that people under 50 years of age should be allowed to take up political leadership.
He is also an emerging entrepreneur and opinion moulder.
Mr Nurudeen Yekini-Agbaje
Mr Nurudeen Yekini Agbaje is currently in the service of the Lagos State Government. He was among those that lost the primary election for the Ikorodu Constituency I Assembly seat to the incumbent when he contested in 2015. He emerged fourth along with two other aspirants with 22 votes each in the primary election.
He is a known land dealer and to his credit, he is a major stakeholder in the establishment of Elepe Royal estate, a new settlement in Ikorodu.
Princess Ogbara
She is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She is a business woman and daughter of the late business mogul, Alhaji Ogbara.
According to report, she stands the chance of clinching the party’s ticket but her chance to go all the way and win the main election remains a tall order considering the present stands of her party.
More so, nothing much has been heard about her aspiration except for the big flex banner that is strategically positioned at her father’s house at Ikorodu garage.
So far, she is the only female that has shown interest to contest for the Ikorodu Constituency I Assembly seat and if eventually she emerged the candidate of her party for the position, her gender status may give her candidacy a boost.
Prince Kamilu (Tiger)
Prince Kamilu is also a strong PDP member and a well known figure in Ikorodu. He was an aspirant for the Chairmanship position of the Ikorodu Local Government in the 2017 council elections but was prevailed upon by the party’s hierarchy to step down for a favoured candidate and later contested for the Vice Chairmanship position.
The current status of his party and his weak presence are his major weaknesses in the race.
Mr Moritan Ademola
He is said to be aspiring for the Assembly seat on the platform of the PDP.
