Kunle ADELABU & Wale JAGUN
Following the appointment of Mr Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, whose appointment as the Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been described as a round peg in a round hole, people of Ikorodu division are expecting more of their own to be selected for political appointments.
According to feelers, Ikorodu leaders and residents are expecting improvement on the number of political appointments that come to the division in the current administration based on its performance in the last general elections .
As expected, this is the time for those that have secured political positions through elections to deploy their powers to secure Ministerial, Commissionership, board and other appointments for those that helped them secured party tickets and election victory.
It is also the time to compensate those that aspired but lost at the party or general elections.
The situation in Ikorodu Division, which has been experiencing intense politicking since last year, THE IMPACT gathered, has attained fever pitch level because of the conflicting interests and large number of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who are aggrieved and in need of political patronage to calm down .
Top on the list of those from the division that may yet be considered for Commissionership, Special Adviser, Senior Special Assistant and board appointments in the cabinet of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu are aspirants in the last primaries of the APC .
There are others, particularly party people, who have been working consistently for the party, children and allies of party leaders.
The IMPACT gathered that for balance, the leadership of APC in Ikorodu division is considering compiling names on constituency basis which necessitated the process of submission of names.
We also gathered, through reliable sources, that certain names have already been submitted to the governor for consideration.
Constituency I
Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru
Abiru stands above all others that are being considered for political appointments from Ikorodu because supports for his consideration cut across every facet of Ikorodu.
He is a retired Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, a former Executive Secretary of Ikorodu Local Government and currently, the Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS).
He was a Senatorial aspirant for the Lagos East Senatorial District in the last general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite the fact that he was aspiring to contest for political office for the first time, Otunba Abiru garnered massive supports across various districts of Lagos East. He was popular and loved by his people who believe in his leadership and managerial competence.
Otunba Abiru was prevailed upon recently to take a second shot at the IKODASS Chairmanship which he accepted despite his own personal commitments. During his first year, the socio-cultural organization was reformed while the dying annual Ikorodu Oga Carnival got more supports from residents. It was due to his administration’s efforts in repackaging the annual festival that the Lagos State Government recognized it as one of the state recognised festivals .
He also organised the first Ikorodu Division Youth Summit, first Business Dinner with Corporate organizations in Ikorodu and established structure for Ikorodu Security Trust Fund.
Personally, Otunba has a foundation through which he gives scholarship to brilliant indigent students to aid their secondary and higher institution educational pursuit.
He is always at ease with traditional, political and religious institutions, as well as academics, professional and youth groups.
He is well connected and has vast experience. His inclusion in the cabinet will be an asset to the state.
Barr. Rotimi Ogunleye
Despite the rumblings in certain quarters, Prince (Barr.) Rotimi Oguleye may probably be selected for Commissionership position again.
He is a lawyer and journalist with vast experience in public and private sectors .
He is one of the very few cabinet members in Ambode’s administration that was very well known. He was at first incharge of Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives and later oversaw the Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development.
THE IMPACT gathered that he is top on the list of names presented by the political leadership in the division.
Mr Adebayo Munir Ajisebutu
Mr Adebayo Ajisebutu is the son of the late political power broker in Ikorodu division, Alhaji Mufutau Ajisebutu.
He is also said to be top on the list of those being considered for cabinet position from Ikorodu divisio0n.
He was a former Executive Secretary, Surulere Local Government. He played a prominent role in the emergence of Mr Sanwo-Olu as governor of Lagos State and was a member of the Sanwo-Olu Independent Campaign Group.
He was rumored to have been considered for the position of Secretary to the State Government.
Barr. Lekan Ijelu
Ijelu was one of the leading aspirants in the last primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He has formidable forces within the party that supported his aspiration but the party at the state and local levels decided that the incumbent should be given another opportunity at the State Assembly level.
He has contested for the Assembly position in each of the last four general elections and occupied different positions of responsibilities in the party and discharged his tasks very well.
In actual fact, he is among the few that many are saying should be considered for a cabinet position in the current administration because of his contributions, loyalty and consistence in the party.
He is a practicing lawyer of many years of experience and a social commentator.
Otunba Saheed Ibikunle
Otunba Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle is a former Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, on Education Management and the first from Ikorodu to occupy such.
He was a former Secretary to the Ikorodu Local Government. He had also aspired for the House of Representatives, Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairmanship of Ikorodu Local Government.
He was a former aide to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, an educationist of note and a popular political figure. A section of the populace is also rooting for him to be considered for a Commissionership appointment in the current administration.
Hon. Adeola Jokomba
Another political figure eyeing Commissionership position is Hon. Adeola Jokomba. He is a former two-term council Chairman of Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area.
He was an aspirant for the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of APC in the last primary elections.
He is also a major contender for appointment as a Commissioner or Special Adviser in Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet.
Hon. Sunmi Odesanya
A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and a former member, Lagos State House of Assembly Commission.
Hon. Sunmi is a lawyer and chieftain of APC in Ikorodu.
He is also another young, dynamic and resourceful politician that may be consider for a position in Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet.
Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani
Otunba Tijani, popularly known and called ‘Omodada’ by his teeming fans, had served as the Vice Chairman and later Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA.
He had also served as a board member at state and national levels and also served the party in many capacities.
Mr Babatunde Afolabi
Mr Babatunde Afolabi is a senior local government official who is presently serving at Ijede LCDA as Head of Personnel.
An experienced administrator, political strategist and informed public commentator, Afolabi, according to report, was a top contender for the local government service commission during Ambode administration.
We also gathered that his candidacy for political appointment has the support of some political office holders in Ikorodu division and party leaders.
According to sources, his interest is still the Local Government Service Commission.
Mayor Deen Sanwoola
Deen Sanwoola is an IT expert, political strategist and investor.
He is the Director-General, iCare Movement, the political and social platform of Hon. Babajimi Benson and instrumental to the emergence of many political office holders within and outside Ikorodu.
As a strategist, he played a vital role in the campaign of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He is a grassroots mobiliser, youth developer, community activist and communication expert. He initiated and developed the social media app – Neighbours
His inclusion will be a good addition to the current administration, especially in the area of science and technology
Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo
Erogbogbo is an illustrious son of Ikorodu who, according to feelers, may be considered for a political appointment.
He is a seasoned administrator, experienced senior civil servant, youths and community builder, agric entrepreneur and a major player in the private business sector.
We gathered that like most of those being considered for political appointments in Ikorodu division, he is close to the corridor of power in the state and his resourcefulness will be a good factor for his consideration.
Ikorodu Constituency II
Hon. (Chief) Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola
Hon. Akinsola, a former acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, former Special Adviser to Governor Ambode on Arts & Culture and former representative of Ikorodu Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, is a leading candidate as far as contest for a position in the cabinet of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is concerned.
THE IMPACT gathered that she is one of one the three candidates that the traditional, political and opinion leaders in Igbogbo are pushing for Commissionership position.
She is an experienced politician and some have argued that her inclusion in the cabinet will be a good addition to the current administration, especially in the area of executive-legislative relation. She is also well connected in the area of tradition.
Aside being a native of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, she is also closely connected to Lagos Island being a Princess of Ijora.
Her closeness to those in corridor of power is a factor that may help her consideration for political appointment.
Prince Segun Ogunlewe
He is another candidate from Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA that the political and traditional leaders are pushing for a cabinet position in the current administration.
Ogunlewe is a Prince of Igbogbo and a former Lagos State Head of Service.
He was rumored to be interested in contesting for the Lagos East Senatorial position in the last general elections but he never declared his intention .
Aside his endorsement by those that matter in Igbogbo, the recent decampment of his elder brother, Sen. Seye Ogunlewe,to APC might also help his emergence as one of Ikorodu’s representatives in the cabinet of Sanwo-Olu.
Mr Wale Amusa
Mr Wale Amusa, the Chief Executive Officer of HOMAT Group of Schools, seems to be in the consideration for a cabinet position in current administration in the state from Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
As an educationist, philanthropist and community builder, he has been a partaker in many developmental projects in Igbogbo and Ikorodu.
He is also a silent sponsor of many politicians in Ikorodu division.
Sesan Daini
Currently the Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Comrade Daini is another interested candidate for a political appointment in Governor Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet.
He was the Director of Media of the Sanwo-Olu Independent Campaign Group.
Many are of the opinion that he has the support of some council chairmen to represent their interest in the cabinet.
According to our findings, he is willing to step down from his current position for appointment as a cabinet member in the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Hon. Fathiu Salisu
Hon. Fathiu, Chairman of Ijede LCDA, is another candidate from the Constituency II being considered for a cabinet position.
A former local government employee and chieftain of the Tipper Association in Ikorodu division, like his counterpart in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, is willing to vacate his chairmanship position to be a cabinet member.
He is said to be well connected with those that may influence the list.
Alhaji Fatai Lasisi
Alhaji Fatai Olalekan Lasisi (FCA), Chairman of Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG), hails from Imota LCDA.
The Chartered Accountant, who was appointed as a Special Adviser by the administration of Gov Akinwunmi Ambode, is also said to be interested in representing the division in the current administration.
Other likely candidates for other political appointments are Alhaji Rilwan Jinadu, Mr Olusegun Iluyombo, Dr Fatai Abiodun Abatan, Comrade Japheth Odesanya, Hon. Jimoh Azeez Olosugbo, Mr Segun Anifowoshe, Mr Yinka Majekodunmi, Mr Owolabi Anifowoshe, Mr Lateef Anifowshe, Hon. Folashade Olabanji-Oba and Mr Seun Elesho among others.
