Abiru Re-Elected As IKODASS Chairman, Says Great Tasks Ahead

Kunle ADELABU

-New officers to be sworn-in May 26

The wishes of the traditional institutions and other major stakeholders in Ikorodu for a second term for the incumbent Chairman of the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, was fulfilled on Sunday, April 28, 2019, as he was re-elected to run the affairs of the socio-cultural group for another two years.

The election was supervised by the past chairmen of the association – Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Otunba David Ekiyoyo and Otunba Lamidi Gbadamosi and members of the media.

 At the election which was held at the Gbadamosi hall of the Ikorodu Town hall in Ikorodu, Alhaji Olusanya Hakeem, who is the Special Adviser on Finance to the IKODASS Chairman, stepped down for Otunba Abiru,  thereby clearing the way for him to emerge as the Chairman for the second term unopposed.

Another contestant for the position, Dr Olukoya M.A, the Medical Director, General Hospital, Ikorodu, had earlier stepped down for Otunba Abiru at the Stakeholders meeting held on Easter Monday.

The Vice Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government and the incumbent Publicity Secretary of the association, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba also announced her withdrawal from the race for Mr Bada Adekunle Eniola.

In the only executive position contested for, the incumbent Social Secretary, Mr Isiaq Majee, polled 59 votes to beat Mr Tijani-Ajalogun Babatubde who polled 45 votes.

Eight candidates contested for the available five seats for the Executive Council Membership.

At the end of the rigorous exercise, Mr Shopitan Olusola (94 votes), Olanrewaju Fausat (89 votes), Animashaun AbdulHakeem (86 votes), Rufai Oluseyi (80 votes) and Yusuf Omotayo Keeji (76 votes) emerged winners.

Others who were returned unopposed included Alhaji Kolawole Fatai, Deputy Chairman, Mrs Akinsanya Basirat, Vice Chairman, Com. Pelaiye Jaiu, General Secretary, Elesho Abolaji Oluwaseun, Assistant General Secretary, Salami Awolaru Taiwo Hassan, Treasurer, Mrs Aroyewun Oluwatoyin Sidikat, Financial Secretary and Adeyeri Remilekun, Assistant Social Secretary.

Others were Abojukoro Quadri, Legal Adviser, Awolesi Bilikisu Adepelola, Welfare Officer, Borokinni Hammed Olanrewaju, Internal Auditor, Anibaba Temitope, Youth Representative, Sonibare Lukman Abdul, CDA/CDC Representative and Oyenuga Olubunmi, Market Representative

Meanwhile, Otunba Abiru, in his acceptance speech, declared that there are great tasks ahead to be done and charged the newly-elected exco to brace up for the challenges.

“As I have been saying, there is still lots of work ahead to be done. I expect every member of the newly elected exco to be up and down because Ikorodu people are expecting more from the incoming administration.

“There is no point in being called exco members when you cannot deliver on your responsibilities.

“Once you failed to deliver on any assignment given on three occasions, I will make use of another ready and willing member of the exco to achieve whatever responsibilities attached to your office because you have shown to be incompetent”,  he warned.

Otunba Abiru, who was a retired Permanent Secretary and Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, also gave the new exco members their first assignment.

“In the next three weeks, I expect every office holder to submit a proposal on their work plan for the next 6 months. That is your first task as members of this association”, he declared.

He commended the electoral committee, led by Alhaji Lemmy Anibaba, for organizing credible and transparent elections while also commending members of the clubs and associations for voting in an organized manner.

Speaking earlier on the decision of Alhaji Hakeem Olusanya to step down for him, Otunba Abiru stated:

“Despite that some people stepped down for me, I am still afraid of the task ahead.

“I want to assure you all that if I have the kind of support that I got since two years ago from Alhaji Olusanya, we can do much more.

“We promised that in two years, we are going to review the constitution of the association, we achieved it. The document was given to a committee which failed to deliver for a long time but when it was given to Alhaji Olusanya and his team, it was done within two weeks.

“This shows the quality he’s made of and sincerely, I do not see myself contesting against him. “

Otunba Abiru revealed that he was the one that asked Olusanya to get set to take-over from him when his mind was made up against recontesting but rescinded the decision due to pressure from major stakeholders in Ikorodu.

In his withdrawal speech, Alhaji Olusanya stated that he deemed it fit t to withdraw from the race because the traditional ruler and other major stakeholders want Otunba Abiru to return in order to consolidate on his laudable achievements in the last two years.

He commended  Abiru’s leadership qualities and pledged to continue working with his administration in the interest of Ikorodu’s development.

Alhaji Lemmy Anibaba, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee,  in his own remarks, thanked the community for given him and his team the important assignment.

He commended the contestants for their understanding, cooperation and support in making the exercise successful.

Also speaking, Mr Segun Iluyombo, a member of the electoral committee, thanked clubs and associations for their support and cooperation.

He announced that members of the newly elected executive council will be sworn-in on Sunday, May 26,  at the Ikorodu Town hall.