Kunle Adelabu
A leading Chairmanship aspirant in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu Division area of Lagos, Southwest, Nigeria, Hon. Mathew Alliu Adesanya, has said that there is no more contention over where the headquarters of Ikorodu North LCDA should be cited.
He said that the matter is a settled one, adding that it is not true that he’s harbouring the intention is to move the Council’s headquarters from Isiwu to Odogunyan if elected as being speculated in some quarters.
Adesanya dispelled the rumour during his visit to the palace of the traditional ruler of Isiwu, Oba Kayode Raji Balogun, the Eweye of Isiwu, to receive the blessings of the royal father before the full commencement of his campaign for his chairmanship aspiration.
“The issue of Ikorodu North LCDA headquarters has been politically resolved. I said it when I came for a town hall meeting in Isiwu”, Hon. Adesanya said.
“I cannot be at war with Isiwu because we are family. My father lived here till old age before he moved back to Oju Emuren. If you trace my history, I will be connected with Kabiyesi somehow and I know that His Royal Majesty knows this.
“Like Odogunyan, Isiwu is also my home and won’t do anything against the town”.
He said that people are concerned about development and how those in charge of the council are managing their affairs.
“We are only fighting for headquarters because of development which is paramount. Since headquarters has been in Isiwu, what has been the development that the Council has done here? We have had Chairmen, Executive Secretaries and Sole Administrator, what has been their impact on Isiwu?”, he asked.
“We are not fighting for any headquarters, but all round development in our council. It doesn’t matter where the headquarters is located in as much as those in charge are bringing about the much needed development to the people.
“Once those in charge of the Council are faithful and are bringing about progress, people will care less about where the council is being run from”.
Recalling his activities regarding the location of the Ikorodu North LCDA headquarters, Hon. Adesanya said that he challenged the Lagos State Government for wrongful act by taking the government to court and not Isiwu has been rumored.
“They said that I have been fighting for the relocation of Ikorodu North LCDA headquarters from Isiwu to Odogunyan and that I took Isiwu to court which is not true”, he said.
“I took the Lagos State Government to court to redress a wrongful act and I have my justice and that is the end of the matter”, he added.
“It was the state government that passed the law in the State Assembly and the Governor assented to it that the headquarters would be at Odogunyan only for a Commissioner to change it. That was what I challenged in court.
“I took them to a court in Lagos and not Abuja and the court condemned the wrongful act, and, on the day that I came for a town hall meeting in Isiwu with the likes of Chief Alapinni in attendance, I was asked about how to address the issue and I said that there is nothing to be done about it again.
“I said that since the headquarters has been moved here, it shall remain here. It is a settled matter”, Hon. Adesanya reaffirmed his position.
He said that he was fully part of the process that led to the creation of Ikorodu North LCDA and stood against attempts to merge part of it with another council.
“I fought for the creation of Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area and not where to locate its headquarters”, he said.
“I was the one that opposed the attempt to divide Ikorodu North LCDA and make part of it (where we have our brothers and sisters) to merge with the Ikorodu West LCDA”.
The Chairmanship aspirant said that he would work with the royal fathers and other traditional chiefs for the development of the council if elected.
“I know what is called a King as a bonafide Yoruba man and as a result, cannot do anything to slight a King. A royal father, as the representative of God, is blessed with command and authority and I will never go against that.
“I will abide with whatever you and your Baales want and I know that you will guide me right towards the development of our council”, he added.
