Kunle ADELABU
-Assure stakeholders of inclusive governance through consultations
The pre-campaign visit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has presented major stakeholders in Ikorodu the opportunity to present the demands of the division.
Among the demands made at the visit which was held at the Ayangbure palace in Ikorodu on Monday, December 3, 2018, were the completion of Agric-Isawo-Owutu-Isheri road, Igbogbo-Bola Tinubu-Gintin road, upgrade of community roads and stadium and many more.
The royal fathers also demanded for the construction of Chalet in Ikorodu division that would ensure that State Executive meeting and other State functions take place in the division like other four divisions in the state.
THE IMPACT gathered that the traditional rulers and other stakeholders engaged the APC Governorship candidate and his deputy in an intense behind the close-door discussion bothering on what Ikorodu division stands to benefit if they are eventually elected.
At the meeting held in the inner chamber of the palace, the six traditional rulers in Ikorodu presented a jointly signed list of demands by the division to the governorship candidate and his deputy.
At the meeting were His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ajibade Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Obateru of Egbin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe and His Royal Majesty, Oba Aremu Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo.
Also at the meeting were, His Eminence (Asiwaju) Olorunfunmi Basorun, leader, APC, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, State Vice Chairman, APC, Lagos East, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, Hon. Babajimi Benson, the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly and the representative of Ikorodu Constituency I and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly representing the Ikorodu Constituency II
Meanwhile, Sanwoolu, while addressing the larger assembly of stakeholders and residents after the close-door meeting, stated that he would run an all-inclusive government and also assured the monarchs that all their presentations and demands would be factored into his governorship manifestoes and executed if elected.
He said that he would hold regular town hall meetings with stakeholders in all the local government areas in the state.
“I want to bring to your attention that our kabiyesis have given us the list of demands which is comprehensive.
“They have held a meeting amongst themselves and arrived at many projects and things they want our government to do for Ikorodu division. We have been given the list. They have listed those things that they considered as a priority in every part of the division.
“They listed Chalet, ongoing construction of roads in Igbogbo and Agric, 4th Mainland bridge, stadium, community roads, abandoned projects, and many others.
“The kabiyesis have listed lots of things needed to be done in Ikorodu division and this we are going to do one after the other when I become the governor.”
He stated that his visit to Ikorodu was to seek for the permission of the traditional institutions across the state, gather demands and seek their prayers and support for his emergence as the governor of the state.
“Our purpose of visiting are in three folds.
“One is to give honour to whom it is due before we start the campaign proper. To recognize the entire traditional institution that we have. We started the journey about a week ago going round to visit all our traditional rulers in the state to acknowledge and inform them that we want to embark on campaign in Lagos State.
“We want to prevent a situation whereby the monarch will hear or see us campaigning or visiting anybody in Imota, Ipakodo, Ibeshe or other parts of Ikorodu division and they will say we did not inform them about what we are set to do.
“We thank them for accepting us and given us their support towards the achievement of our ambition”, Sanwoolu stated.
While stating that he would run an all-inclusive government, the APC gubernatorial candidate assured the traditional rulers and other stakeholders that if elected, his government would always consult them to know their needs.
“Secondly, we want to run a listening government that will always sit down with the stakeholders to discuss and identify their needs in a town hall meetings which we are going to input in our programmes and policies for execution. We don’t want to impose what we think the people want on them” , he stated.
“We want to relate more with the people and listening to them which is the only way to know what they truly desire. We are here today to know what Ikorodu division wants from our government and the traditional rulers have listed the demands for us.
“We want to dialogue with you and know your concerns. We want to know the real thing that you want since we have assured that we are going to run an inclusive government and a component of that is to go round to get the demands of the people before we begin to roll our manifestoes. This is the only way we can know and appreciate the owners of the town and the city. That is exactly what we have come here to do.
“Thirdly, we are here to seek for your prayer and guidance in this journey which we are embarking on”.
“We thank you for the prayers and the support granted us to go ahead in our journey and the assurance that you will always be with us.”
Allaying any fear that they would behave like a typical politician that is only seen during the electoral period but becomes elusive after winning the election, Sanwoolu stated that his government would interact with people from time-to-time.
“I can assure you that my deputy and I will not be full of ourselves when we get into government. We will never depart from you and our visit to Ikorodu division will not be once in every four years.
“We are going to have constant interactions with the traditional rulers and other stakeholders to let them know how we are running our government and where to adjust.
“I appreciate your support and the blessings given to me and my deputy. Our primary aim is to take Lagos State to greater heights”, Sanwo-Olu said.
The Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, in his remarks, assured the APC Governorship candidate and his deputy of the support of the people of Ikorodu division.
“The people of Ikorodu are behind you, but we want you to take the state to greater heights”
“Ikorodu is one of the five divisions of Lagos. Existing infrastructure needs to be expanded to accommodate the increasing population and we need new ones. We want improvement in our public schools and health facilities, among others” Oba Shotobi stated
Also speaking, the APC State Vice Chairman, Lagos East Senatorial District, Asipa Koali Olusanya, enjoined Lagosians to “support the dynamic and competent duo, presented by the ruling party, to govern the state by voting for them in the general elections”.
“Our party has presented young, dynamic and vibrant team that would run Lagos come 2019. Let’s give them our support. These are the kinds of people that can effectively run the system and not an old man of over 60years that does not understand the dynamics of running a state like Lagos in the 21st century”.
