Kunle Adelabu
Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, the Chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his running mate, Hon. Adesegun Aluko, in the Saturday, July 24 Local Government Elections, have assured electorate in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) that their administration would prevent unnecessary face-off if voted into office.
The duo spoke while responding to questions at a briefing where they unveiled their agenda to the people.
It would be recalled that the outgoing administration of Hon. Jumoke Jimbo – Ademehin had many face – off with the Council’s Legislative arm and staff, some of which resulted in the shutting of the council gate and Chairman’s office on many occasions.
Aside the intervention by the party leadership in the crises that rocked the council in the last four years, the Lagos State House of Assembly also intervened on more than one occasion.
While stating that the problem was caused by lack of effective communication and transparency, Hon. Sulaimon, speaking on what he would do to prevent such, said that his office would establish an effective communication channel with that of the Vice Chairman and the Legislative arm.
He added that he would also be transparent with whatever that comes into the coffer of the council.
“What was lacking is effective communication and transparency. Once you can communicate and be transparent with your legislators, I want to believe that there will be no rancor”, he said.
“If people don’t know and we are still hiding things from them, there would definitely be rancor.
“We are going to run an all – inclusive government and I promise that there will be no rancor between me, my Vice Chairman and my legislators”, he assured.
Speaking further, the APC Chairmanship candidate said that he went through the same experience as a former Vice Chairman and gave assurance that he would always carry his Vice Chairman along to prevent any face-off if they are voted into office.
“I went through the experience. I seriously went through it and I promised my God that I will give my brother his fair share. It is just for him to be patient with me”, he said.
“I promised myself and my God that I will never get into any fight with my Vice. There will never be any rancor between us.
“We will manage ourselves and the same thing is applicable to our legislators too. If there is transparency, there would never be any fight”, he added.
Hon. Sulaimon also said that the APC leadership has resolved the fallout of the party's controversial primary and that other aspirants are working to ensure the victory of the party in the July 24 elections.
“We don’t have any problem at all with my colleagues that also aspired for the position. My party chieftains are in total control of the situation”, the Chairmanship candidate said.
“We have our differences but we respect one other. I give all of them kudos because there is no one among us that cannot do the job.
“We have all resolved our issues and are now working together towards achieving victory in the council elections”, he said.
Hon. Aluko, the Vice Chairmanship candidate, also responding, said that there won’t be any issue between himself and the the Chairman if elected.
“It’s a matter of understanding. There won’t be any issue once we are open and understand each other. I am a contented person and won’t be in any way over ambitious”, he said.
“I have being with him for some years before he emerged as the candidate, so, once we understand ourselves, there won’t be any problem”.
