Jare Olukotun
After weeks of intense preparations for the 2021 elections into various offices of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), the elections have been postponed due to tension that was generated during the accreditation process.
The Oteju hall of the Ikorodu Town hall, the venue for the elections, on Sunday, March 28, became turbo-charge as delegates, who have been on one another’s throats on the various platforms weeks before the election, arrived for the election proper.
According to the report gathered, there has been serious tension between the two contenders for the IKODASS Chairmanship seat – Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo and Alhaji Akeem OIusanya.
THE IMPACT gathered that as a way of dousing the tension generated, a former IKODASS Chairman and the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, and a former Deputy Chairman of the organization, Alhaji Ganiu Wahab, met with Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, the outgoing Chairman of the Association, Comrade Kehinde Okeowo, a chieftain of the organization and other elders and resolved to call – off the elections.
Sources informed THE IMPACT that the decision was to prevent violence.
Our reporter also gathered that the elders also agreed to report the situation to the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, for final decision on the matter.
It was, however, gathered that the elders’ decision initially did not go down well with the Electoral Committee, led by Prince Omotayo Benson, because they were not carried along but that they later accepted it.
Meanwhile, the electoral committee has issued a release to officially announce the postponement of the elections.
In the statement signed by the Committee’s Secretary, Com. Pelumi Olalekan Rado, the Committee thanked delegates from clubs and associations that showed up at the venue for the elections.
While announcing that the Committee’s decision to postpone the election was in compliance with that of the elders, Pelumi enjoined contenders and delegates to see IKODASS offices as a call to serve which should not result in any violence.
“We want to express our appreciation to all the clubs/societies that were present earlier today at Ikorodu town hall with the intent to perform their civic right to vote as financial members of IKODASS. Your labour shall not go in vain”, he said.
“However, the elders of IKODASS, in their wisdom, postponed the election as there were frayed nerves and festering tension at the venue”, he said while announcing the indefinite postponement of the elections.
“Serving as an IKODASS Executive is a call to serve, as a result, such should not be a do or die affair. We regret any inconvenience this might have caused groups and individuals.
“Please, remain committed to IKODASS as always. Another date will be communicated to you all”.
Our reporter gathered that some of the IKODASS elders are working towards the emergence of a consensus candidate which they hope the Ayangbure of Ikorodu would sanction to lead the socio – cultural and developmental body.
