Kunle ADELABU
-Ayangbure of Ikorodu urges politicians to shun violence
The Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Lagos East Senatorial District, Princess Abiodun Oyefusi, has stated that her main agenda, if elected as member of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, is to pursue equality for women in terms of political participation.
She also stated that the development of her District, State and the country at large is also germane to her senatorial seat pursuit.
Princess Oyefusi, daughter of the immediate past Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Late Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, CON, revealed this when she visited the present Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, in his palace on Sunday, November 11, 2018.
While addressing the monarch, the Senatorial candidate said :
“Our District (Lagos East Senatorial) needs somebody that understands the needs of the District to represent them and the needs of the people. My responsibility is to help the people to achieve those needs.
“I also want to build on the legacy of my father in developing this town (Ikorodu) and the District, State and the nation at large.
“What is most dear to my heart is our women’s situation. They are under-represented in key positions and it breaks my heart anytime I see this discrimination which I don’t understand. Why the inequality? Why did we (women) never had a governor or President as a woman?
“Are the laws in the country not giving us equality to compete on a level playing ground with men? I have gotten the responsibility to make women realize their dreams and help them develop my district; make laws that directly impact the people’s lives and enables the government in the local and state levels function effectively.
According to her, the visit was to officially notify the palace of her ambition and to seek the blessings of the royal father.
“I am here because I can’t do anything without coming home. So, my coming to the palace is to let you know that my great party (PDP) has chosen me as its Lagos East Senatorial candidate.
“The Oba is the head of my household and he is my father too. He has given me his blessings and I want to say thank you to him. And I want to assure him and the people of Ikorodu that I will do them proud.
“You all know my late father and what he did for this town and nation. I promise to do better than he did when elected.
“I will work for the progress of Ikorodu and the rights of women. I will fight for the implementation of the affirmative action to give more opportunities for women,” she assured Oba Shotobi and others during the visit.
The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, while giving Princess Oyefusi his royal blessings, stated that she is her daughter.
He then called on politicians to always conduct themselves peacefully and shun violence before, during and after the 2019 elections.
The traditional ruler urged politicians not to see politics as a do-or-die affair, but a platform to seek power for genuine service to the people.
Also, he advised politicians to learn to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship from the recently concluded mid-term elections in the United States of America (USA), which according to him, was devoided of violence and acrimony.
The monarch also urged political leaders and candidates to remember that they do not have another country besides Nigeria, while advising them to eschew acts that could undermine its peace.
“Politics should not be with bitterness. Politics should be open and peaceful and should be done the same it is being done all over the world.
“If they can do the mid-term elections in the US recently without violence or crisis, we should achieve the same here.
‘’We monitored the elections, we know the party that won each of the seats in the their own House of Representatives and Senate.
“We know what happened between the Democrats and Republicans.
“The situation should not be different in Nigeria. And it all depends on you politicians to see that we don’t have another country apart from Nigeria. You should shun violence and resolve issues peacefully always,” he said.
Oba Shotobi equally urged Nigerians to shun money politics and vote according to their conscience, and for the people with genuine intentions to move the nation forward.”
He said he was glad to receive Princess Oyefusi and her supporters in his palace and thanked the PDP for choosing her to contest the Lagos East Senatorial seat.
The Ayangburen described the candidate as his daughter due to her royal background and added that he would continue to pray for her to realise her ambition while also urging those who had come with the candidate and other supporters to be sincere in their support for her and also be committed in their efforts at ensuring her victory at the poll.
“All of you have all come here to seek my blessings for your candidate. But you know I am a traditional ruler and you all are my children.
“But you have already caught me unaware by picking one of my daughters. Yes, she is my daughter and I will continue to pray for all my children’s success; that will be my joy.
“But we need the support of all of you who have come with her.We need your commitment and transparency. Don’t do things that will make us find you wanting at the end of the day.
“I congratulate her for being the party’s choice. I will continue to pray for her that God in his infinite mercy should see her through,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Mr Taiwo Benedict, PDP Chairman, Lagos East Senatorial District, stated that the leadership of the party had visited the palace to present the candidate of the party, Princess Oyefusi, to the monarch for his blessings and support.
He stated that the candidate emerged victorious in a primary election conducted by the party.
“We are here to present our candidate, Princess Oyefusi, to you as our senatorial candidate for the forthcoming election.She emerged victorious in a primary conducted by the party.
“It was her insistence that before her campaign is fully commenced that we must come to the palace first to notify her father and seek for his blessings”, he said.
