Kunle Adelabu
Every arrangement has been perfected for a novelty match which will see Team Political Candidates comprising candidates for Federal House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly across all political parties fielding candidates in Ikorodu Division do battle with the youths.
The much expected sporting event tagged, ‘The Ikorodu Ambassadors Group Peace Novelty Match’, is a social advocacy programme targeted at propagating the campaign against electoral violence.
While Kunle Adelabu, Publisher/Reporter – in – Chief, THE IMPACT newspaper, is expected to lead the Team political candidates as its Chief Coach, Dr. Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, a senior lecture, Department of Political Science, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo and Board Member, Lagos State Sport Commission, will lead the youth team.
According to the Coordinator, The Ikorodu Ambassadors Group, Comrade Lateef ‘Arizona’ Sholanke, will ensure that both teams exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship towards one another, so as to have a peaceful electoral situation leading to the 2023 General Elections and the eventual election.
“The programme is projected to unify all party faithful, especially the youths and their candidates, irrespective of their political differences through a novelty football match”, he told THE IMPACT in a chat.
“The programme is designed to have the electorates (youth with divergent political views and supporters) form a team to play against their candidates.
“This will build a safe atmosphere for all to thrive in the spirit of sportsmanship during the elections. It will also create an avenue for the electorates to see the flip sides of their candidates, as well as an avenue for the political candidates to directly relate with the electorates”, he added.
He said that the Group has contacted virtually all the candidates who have given their intention to participate.
We have contacted virtually all the candidates and most of them have already identified with us and fully key into the initiative. Among those that have shown interest are: Hon. Idowu Olaiwola Adeleke (AA, Ikorodu Constituency 1, Lagos State House of Assembly Candidate), Hon. Ogunnote Bukola Iyabo (AA, Ikorodu Constituency 2, Lagos State House of Assembly Candidate), Hon Babajimi Benson (APC House of Representative Candidate for Ikorodu Federal Constituency)and Hon. Abdulkareem Olugbenga Shittu (PDP House of Representative Candidate for Ikorodu Federal Constituency).
Others are: Hon. Lawal Olamide Olalekan (PDP, Ikorodu Constituency 1, Lagos State House of Assembly Candidate), Hon. Oyebo Adewale Isiaka, Ikorodu Constituency 2, PDP Lagos State House of Assembly Candidate), Hon. Oguntola Ayodele (ADP House of Representative Candidate for Ikorodu Federal Constituency), Hon. Samson Sulaimon (ADP, Ikorodu Constituency 1, Lagos State House of Assembly Candidate), Hon. Azeez Gbolahan (ADP, Ikorodu Constituency 2, Lagos State House of Assembly Candidate) and Hon. Junaid Muyideen Olasunkanmi (NNPP Candidate, House of Representative Candidate, Ikorodu Federal Constituency).
Also expected are: Hon. Aderibigbe Adekunle Rasaq (NNPP, Ikorodu Constituency 1, Lagos State House of Assembly Candidate) and Hon. Onibudo Sodiq Abiodun (NNPP, Ikorodu Constituency 2, Lagos State House of Assembly Candidate.
For the youth team, Com. Olalekan Pelumi (Rado); Hon. Abayomi -Bork Shamusideen Ayanlaja (Omo Adugbo Shemii); Com. Fatuga Rasheed (Founder Ikorodu Ambassadors Group); Mr. Eromona Michael (Ikorodu News Network); Com. Samson Bisiriyu; Com. Olalekan Biliamin (State Chairman, NYCN); Com. Ganiu Hameed Olaniyi (IDYI); and Com. Odusanya Abdullateef Omotayo have signalled their interest.
Com. Sholanke Lateef Goriola (Arizona), Coordinator, Ikorodu Ambassadors Group, is also expected to play in the youth team.
