Kunle Adelabu
Apex leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikorodu Division has called for unity among themselves in order to be a strong and formidable force at the state level.
They urged more cooperation between the Justice Forum (JF) and The Mandate Group (TMG), and understanding in terms of sharing and allocation of positions.
The clarion call was made at the new year party organized by the Justice Forum, at the APC Secretariat (Anibaba House), Awowolo Way, Ikorodu, Ikorodu, on Friday.
The Divisional Chairman, Alhaji Musbau Gafaar, welcoming chieftains and members of the JF to the gathering, said that the purpose of the event was to celebrate the numerous victories of the party’s candidates at the national and state levels in the last general elections.
He commended members of the party for their commitment to the electoral victories recorded by APC.
Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Deputy Governor, Lagos State and apex leader in Ikorodu Division, expressed happiness at the presence of chieftains of the TMG, a rival caucus to JF, at the event, while he called for unity among the two groups.
Ogunleye stated that unity is paramount in order to speak in one voice in Ikorodu, and stop the imposition of leaders and representatives on them from the state.
“Today is a glorious day. I never thought that I will meet Alhaji Badru Enifeni, Asipa Kaoli, Otunba Tijani and other chieftains of Mandate here, but their presence here is an assurance that things are going well”, he said.
“As somebody that is fully aware of what is going on, I am of the position that we must encourage meetings like this if we are to move Ikorodu forward.
“We must work together to achieve great things for Ikorodu. The governorship pursuit has eluded us in Ikorodu for long, because we have not been working together.
“It is my view that anytime that we want a leader from Ikorodu, we must be the one to decide on such and present same to the state and national level and not that they should be imposing who they want on us.
“I have been saying at several of our meetings that those that are dictating to us from outside Ikorodu, are not superior to us.
“We will get anything that we want if we can work in unity. Let us continue to work together as agreed here today and we will continue to talk to others who are yet to accept that. We have to manage ourselves and use understanding in allocating positions”, Prince Ogunleye charged.
The party leader charged members not to lose hope in the country as President Bola Tinubu’s administration is capable of bringing about economic prosperity.
“The present state of the country calls for concerted efforts to turn it around and we all must be involved. We have trust in the President of the country that he is capable of managing the affairs of the nation”.
Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun welcomed members of the party to the gathering and enjoined them not to be deterred by the economic challenges facing the country, adding that things will be better.
The elder statesman charged members to always make the party paramount in everything that they do, and ensure that it is victorious at every election.
He asked them to be ready for the local government elections in 2025, which he said will be a prelude to the 2027 general elections.
TMG Divisional Chairman, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, who was full of respect for the leaders in JF for theit contributions towards the development of the APC and their experiences, also called for unity and cooperation among the two groups.
“This that we have started will not be the end because we need to work together to move our party forward”, he said.
“We only have two wings within the APC – Justice Forum and The Mandate Group, recognized at the top and there is no third. Justice forum is our leader because we have elders and political leaders who have worked with late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Jakande, military and they are the one that launched Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We came out of the Justice Forum but we are formidable young elements working and helping to develop the party.
While stating that both groups are not enemies of each other, Asipa Kaoli expressed that understanding and respect for elders will always prevail when it comes to allocation of political offices.
“Both are not enemies but brothers and sisters from the same father. These groupings are mainly meant for mobilizing into the party and not to create any enmity”, he said.
“When the time comes, we will definitely allow our fathers to take the lead in allocation of positions while we will also have our own share”.
Pastor Ajetunmmobi R, Divisional Secretary, APC Ikorodu Division and Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, former Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, in their own separate goodwill messages, commended party members for their support over the years and urged them to sustain their loyalty.
A former aspirant for the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairmanship aspirant for Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Mr Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun, said that the gathering presented members the opportunity to rededicate themselves to their party and commended the party chieftains for their leadership.
“At this event, we had an avenue to rededicate ourselves and show more commitment to the virtue of justice forum and our party at large. I commend our leaders, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun and Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, for keeping the hope of justice forum alive. I also salute the entire leadership of the justice forum in Ikorodu Division’, he said.
“I pray for President Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu and all government functionaries to get things right so that life will be better for all Nigerians and all residents of our country and Lagos residents. I also wish our legislators and council chairmen well.
“May the Nigeria of our dream come true”, Aroyewun said.
Other chieftains of the Justice Forum at the gathering were Oloye Oye Solebo, Mrs O.O. T. Benson, Prince Adio Jamiu Saka, Dr Lanre Dixon, Yeye Funmi Basorun, Hon. Taiwo Orenuga, Hon. Gbenga Oshin, Alhaji Wahab Folorunsho, Alhaji Ola4 Sulaimon, Hon. (Mrs) Shukurat Okeowo, Mrs Funmi Basorun, Deaconess Wonu Aderibigbe Oshinowo, Hon. Junaid Owokodu, Hon. Femi Okedeyi, Pastor Ola Ayetoba, Alhaji Fawaz, Alhaji Bobomi and APC Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Alhaji Lateef Afinni, Hon. Niyi Odugbesi, Mr Sesan Odueyigbo and Hon. Bowale Adebowale among others.
Council chairmen and vice chairmen who are members of the group and present at the ceremony were: Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Ikorodu LGA, Builder Adeola Banjo, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Ola Ameen Apanisile, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA and Hon. Sunday Benson, Vice Chairman, Ijede LCDA.
Also present at the event was Otunba Bayo Lawson and a host of other chieftains of TMG.
