Kunle Adelabu
-23 Aspirants vie for about 20 positions
It’s another election year for the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), the umbrella body for all the associations, clubs, societies and other interest groups in Ikorodu.
The election into the various offices of the association is scheduled for the Ikorodu Town Hall, on Sunday, April 2, 2023.
The Rotimi Erogbogbo – led administration, which was elected about two years ago will be rounding up its tenure soon, and this necessitated the decision of the IKODASS General Council at its meeting held on Sunday, March 6, 2023, to set up an electoral commission with the mandate to midwife the election of new executive members of socio – cultural and developmental platform.
As at last Wednesday, the electoral committee revealed that 23 aspirants are jostling for about 20 positions in the association.
The electoral committee is led by Mr Afuwape Samson Abayomi as the chairman. Other members of the committee are: Mr Fasasi R.O, Secretary, Mr Babatunde R.A, Treasurer, Mrs Agoro Adeniki, Registrar and Mrs F. O Shitta, Financial Secretary.
THE IMPACT also gathered that the Chairman, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Adeyeri Ajibade and Vice Chairman, Alhaji Ajalogun Tijani will be returning unopposed like many others.
However, the incumbent General Secretary, Mr Seun Elesho, Treasurer, Mr Taiwo Hassan Awolaru and Publicity Secretary, Mr Kunle Bada, will not be returned, having served for two terms consecutively as executive members. While Elesho first served as Assistant Secretary and later as the General Secretary, the duo of Awolaru and Bada served as Treasurer and Publicity Secretary, respectively.
Also not returning are some of the executives and representatives of various groups on the IKODASS executive Council.
It was also gathered that only two positions – General Secretary and the Publicity Secretary, will be contested on Sunday, except the aspirants reach compromise.
For the position of the IKODASS General Secretary, Prince Adesegun Oyefusi representing the Zenith Peers Club and Mr Elemuren Rasheed Adeshola from the Achievers Enlightenment Association will be seeking the mandate of about 400 delegates from various clubs and associations.
On the other hand, contest for the position of Publicity Secretary will be between Mr Dare Oshikoya who is vying on the Development Platform and Mr Rilwan Onibudo. He will be representing Volunteers.
At the screening for all the aspirants on Wednesday and Thursday, the committee engaged them on family background, knowledge of Ikorodu and IKODASS, academic and professional qualifications, status of their clubs and associations, and their respective plans for further developmental of IKODASS among others.
In an interview with Mr Afuwape Abayomi, the Chairman of the IKODASS electoral body, in the presence of other members, he highlighted what the committee has done so far and its plans to have a successful election on Sunday.
“The committee was composed and then we swung into action and from there, we came out with a time table and the sales of the forms commenced on 13th March and closed on 26th March, 2023”, he said.
“So far, 23 aspirants have signified interests, collected forms and submitted same, and by our timetable, the election form closed on the 26th. Today (Wednesday) which is March 29th and tomorrow (Thursday) 30th, are slated for screening of the aspirants.
“So far, so good, we have screened 14 out of 23 aspirants, and we are still expecting nine more aspirants. And by our preparations, we are fully on ground, we are fully prepared, and fully ready to conduct free, fair and credible elections which will usher in effective and competent exco members for the 2023-2025 IKODASS year by the grace of God”, Mr Afuwape assured Ikorodu residents.
The electoral chairman further provided insight into the preparations of the committee:
“The ballot papers are ready. The ballot boxes, and every other material are readily on ground. We are ready for the contest. We are ready to carry out our duty as expected of us”.
He charged clubs and associations that are yet to pay their annual dues to comply before Sunday, as the payment is fundamental to their delegates being allowed to vote during the election.
“My message to all members of the association is to ensure that they are well represented on that day and ensure that they pay their annual dues up to date. Without that, they will not be allowed to vote or be voted for”, he said.
“That’s the only way to show that you are a registered member of our association. You must be financially committed and we expect all of them to come out in numbers to choose their representatives so that they won’t be put in incompetent hands”.
He also charged aspirants without competitors to see that as a call to serve.
“We equally expect those who are not having competitors not to see it as a bed of roses, but as an opportunity to serve and serve well. They should not think that because there are no competitors, they can just do whatever they like”, he warned.
“They should ensure that they live up to the expectations of the positions they are vying for.
The electoral chairman also said that the committee ensured that professional competence is considered for those vying for the positions of Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Legal Adviser.
