Kunle Adelabu
-Charge Gov on need for respect, pay attention to deplorable infrastructures in Ikorodu
The traditional and political leaders in Ikorodu Division, have called out the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo – Olu, in an unusual and unexpected way, on what was termed deliberate marginalization of the Division.
Leaders from Ikorodu, which is one of the five Divisions that made up Lagos State, in a statement on Monday, demanded that the Governor should allocate a minimum of three slots in his proposed cabinet against the one sent to the Lagos State House of Assembly. They described the formula used in sharing the cabinet positions as arbitrary, considering the contribution of the Division to the electoral victories of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the last General Elections.
The six Obas and one Regent in the Division: His Royal Majesties, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Semiudeen Orimaeldegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Akeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin, Oba (Engr.) Bashir A. Shotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Olukayode G. Raji, the Eweye of Isiwu and High Chief Musediku Alliu, the Regent of Ijede, signed the statement .
Chieftains of the Governance Advisory Council that also signed are: Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor of the State, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, former Secretary to the State Governor, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister for Works, and Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Senator representing Lagos East.
Others are Rep. Babajimi Benson, representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, former Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Alhaji Musibau A. Gafaar, former Vice Chairman, APC Lagos East, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo, representative of Ikorodu Constitunecy I, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, former Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly and Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja, immediate past representative of Ikorodu Constituency ll, among many others.
The Governor was also asked to stop the deliberate marginalization of Ikorodu Division, in the distribution of dividends of democracy and also accord the leaders of the Division, respect on any given issue.
The leaders, who traced the contributions of the Division, since the commencement of the present democratic dispensation in 1999, stated that Ikorodu has always delivered votes to the party, and deserved to be treated fairly.
“We note with sadness that the criteria used in determining the sharing formula must have been very ARBITRARY. Taking a queue from the National Level, where quantum of votes cast for the president in Geopolitical zones on 25/02/2023, have been used to allocate ministerial slots; in Lagos State, Ikorodu Division, which scored 8.4% of the total votes for the Governor on 18/03/2023, that is, 64,697 out of 762,134 votes, should, at least, get slots (which is 8.4% of 39) out of the 39 nominees forwarded to the State Assembly, to join 6 others to constitute the Lagos State Executive Council”, Ikorodu leaders stated.
“Mr. Governor, our prayers in Ikorodu Division, are not difficult, very straightforward, and germane to the continued peaceful existence of the residents of our Division, and the Progressives status quo.
“Taking into consideration all the issues raised above, we, hereby, humbly demand, as of Right, that Ikorodu Division be allocated a minimum of 3 (three) slots in the list of State Executive Council nominees forwarded to the Lagos State House of Assembly”, Ikorodu leaders demanded.
“Secondly, we plead for the stoppage of deliberate marginalization of the Ikorodu Division, in the allocation of dividends of democracy in the State. We are drawing your attention to the composition of the twenty-one (21) member inauguration committee set up to usher in your second term as the State Governor. Alas, not one representative was included from Ikorodu Division.
“Thirdly, we request that utmost respect be accorded our Divisional leaders at all times in any circumstance, even in channels of communication to the Division.
The leaders also called the neglect of infrastructures in the Division, as double standard and deliberate act of temptation which has pitch the residents against the APC. They enjoin the Governor to acts positively towards Ikorodu, to avoid backlash.
“Mr. Governor, we acknowledge the scarce resources needed for simultaneous development across the State, however, the double standard, lack of trust, deliberate temptations of the civility and marginalization of the division, should be avoided and the residents should not be taken for granted. Our electorates are presently charged against our party and the leadership, due to what is perceived as an affront that beats their imagination.
“It must be mentioned that our Division responded favourably to Mr. Governor’s call for support at the just concluded elections, and our Division, in anticipation of equitable rewards, utilized all our resources to achieve the success realized at the polls.
“We, therefore, appeal to the sensibilities of our Governor to do the needful, and prevent our detractors from taking undue advantage of such injustice, as things could get out of hand”, Ikorodu leaders charged the Gov. Sanwo – Olu.
The leaders, while charging the Governor not to lose the trust of Ikorodu people that worked assiduously for his re – emergence, faulted his allocation formula, stating that using 57 LCDAs or 20 Local Governments as formula for distribution, Ikorodu Division deserves two or four slots respectively.
“Mr. Governor, TRUST is a critical virtue of leadership. Trust deficiency in any leadership often spells uproar in the organization. During the campaigns, fifty-seven structures, consisting of 20 Local Governments and 37 LCDAs, were used to execute the general elections. Having worked assiduously for the success of the party and the re-election of your good self, we surely deserve better consideration. But alas!, the sharing method of the electoral benefits suddenly became twenty (20) Local Governments”, the statement said.
“Mr. Governor, during the electioneering campaign in Ikorodu Division, you promised to ensure that all the Local Governments and the LCDAs in the Division, were rewarded with tangible appointments once the votes were delivered to secure your victory. What a double standard?”, they asked rhetorically.
“Mr. Governor, using the unfair sharing method i.e. twenty (20) Local Governments, Ikorodu Division should have a minimum of two (2) slots in the State Executive Council nominees list, while the ‘HONEST’ sharing arrangement i.e. fifty-seven (57) Local Governments/LCDAs, entitles the Division to a minimum of four (4) positions in the State Executive Council”.
The Divisional leaders also called attention to the cabinet at the moment, comprising six members including the Governor, and with none from Ikorodu Division.
“For the records, the 39 nominees forwarded to the State Assembly are joining 6 others who are already in situ to constitute the Lagos State Executive Council. They are: The Governor from Lagos Island LGA, Deputy Governor from Epe LGA, SSG from Alimosho LGA, HOS from Lagos Island LGA and Deputy Chief of Staff from Lagos Island”, the statement said.
“In addition to drawing your attention Sir, to our Division’s rejection of one Commissionership slot, Ikorodu Division has two constituencies even in the State House of Assembly, therefore, there cannot be one Commissioner for two distinct Constituencies”, Ikorodu leaders added.
