Kunle Adelabu
If Senatorial contest is by rich resume and academic qualifications, then the Ikorodu – born Prince, journalist, editor, legal practitioner and former Commissioner, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, should simply be the best choice of his party and electorates but political contest in Nigeria is much more than that.
He declared his Senatorial aspiration about two weeks ago submitted his letter of expression to the party in Ikorodu.
It has since been making consultations with stakeholders and on that premises, made his aspiration public recently on THE IMPACT WhatsApp platform stating that:.
“After wide consultations, I have decided to make a strong bid to represent the Lagos East Senatorial District in the forthcoming bye election. I, therefore, verily throw my hat in the ring”, Prince Ogunleye declared.
The former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and Commerce and Industry in Lagos State has also served the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), since the days of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in many capacities.
Before this democratic dispensation, Prince Ogunleye, who is a senior member of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, was member of the Youth Wing of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) under the leadership of the highly revered late elder statesman and sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He was also a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kosofe during the two – party system of Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (Rtd.). He was a member at Ward F2 in Kosofe.
Prince Ogunleye was also a practicing journalist during this era and was one of the journalists who had the privilege of covering the Presidential declaration of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the late business mogul and politician’s house in Opebi, ikeja.
He did not join what late Chief Bola Ige called the ‘five fingers of leprosy hands’ political dispensation under the late former dictator, Gen. Sanni Abacha.
According to the Senatorial aspirant, “I didn’t join the Abacha political parties described by Chief Bola Ige as ‘five fingers of leprosy hands’ because of principles.
During the preparation for the exit of the military, Barr. Ogunleye joined the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and was the Legal Adviser of the party in the old Ikorodu Local Government (when Ikorodu LG was still one). He was also a member of the AD Lawyers that were part of the legal team that handled Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s matter against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the Governorship election. Chief Wole Olanipekan, SAN, led the victorious legal team.
Since then, Barr. Ogunleye had served the party in many capacities before he was appointed first, as Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and later as Commissioner to oversee the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development under the administration of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode as Governor of Lagos State.
He is a legal practitioner and notary public whose practice of over 20 years focuses on diverse areas spanning commercial, property, mortgage and investment issues. As a lawyer, he has passion for litigation, arbitration and submissions on diverse legal issues.
Prince Ogunleye holds Bachelor Of Arts (Hons) degree in English Studies from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University); Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Journalism, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba; Advanced Certificate in English Language Journalism, Centre for Foreign Journalism (CFI) in Reston, Virginia, USA; Bachelor of Law (Hons) Degree from the Lagos State University, Ojo and later Nigerian Law School, Lagos.
The Senatorial aspirant is also a holder of Masters of Law degree (LLM), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos.
He had over 14 years stint in Journalism, specialising in business and financial aspects and this culminated to his appointment as the Editor of the BUSINESS TIMES, a major weekly business publication in the Daily Times of Nigeria PLC’s stable. He held the post between 1999 and 2001. For many years, he ran a column on the economy while he was the Business Editor of the DAILY TIMES and subsequently a weekly column as the Editor of the BUSINESS TIMES on topical economic issues. He was also an Editorial Board member in the Daily Times and held various other key editorial posts there.
He was at various times Reporter, Staff Writer, Columnist, Member of the Editorial Board, Business Editor, Associate Editor and an Editor with Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN). He was also a Special Correspondent at Richmond Times Despatch, U.S.A.
Ogunleye is the Principal Counsel in the law firm of Rotimi Ogunleye & Associates.
He had served Lagos State in many capacities.He is a member of the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Lagos State Agriculture Development Authority and Ad-Hoc Committee for the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Board among others.
He was an aspirant for Lagos State House of Assembly in 1999, 2003 and 2014.
On religion front, Barrister Rotimi Ogunleye scored first when he was re-elected as People’s Warden (Prime Minister), The African Church Bethel Cathedral, Ikorodu. It was during his tenure the Cathedral Church was completed and dedicated for use.
