Kunle Adelabu
Mr Shakiru Seidu, a Chairmanship aspirant for the Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, has said that his early declaration of his ambition is strategic and an opportunity for the public to assess him properly.
Shakiru, who is the publisher of the MegaXpression magazine, a community – based medium, also stated that his early declaration is a challenge to other aspirants to come out publicly and give the people the opportunity to scrutinize and assess them too.
Recalled that the aspirant, who served as the Special Adviser on Media and Strategic Planning to Builder Olusesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, in his first term, celebrated his 50th birthday at the HOMAT Mega Hall, lgbogbo, on Saturday, January 20, 2024, during which he formally launched his aspiration and unveiled his Ire-Otun 2025 Movement.
Eminent personalities, political leaders, friends, associates and family members attended the well – packaged birthday celebration cum political declaration.
THE IMPACT recently engaged Shakiru on his decision to officially declared his Chairmanship aspiration on the same that he celebrated his 50th birthday, which many have deemed not proper, while others gave him kudos for it.
“It’s not too early my brother. In fact, it’s the best thing to do in the civilised countries. People must have enough time to assess you and study your plans and programmes for them. Even our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, started earlier enough, and this gave him enough time to market his agenda”, he said.
“Not that election would be six months away and you’ll just bring someone and imposed the person on people. On getting there, the person would start doing otherwise and we’ll start complaining as usual. This has majorly led to our stagnancy at the local level.
“So, I challenge other interested Chairmanship aspirants to come out now for people to have better time to assess and scrutinise their agendas for them”, Shakiru said while challenging others interested in succeeding Builder Daini, to declare their interests.
The aspirant, who said that he has devoted his time to community development and societal change, revealed that his focus in government will be the advancement of his people’s welfare.
“So, I am a community developer with passion to serve my community at any level. In the course of time and with garnered experiences, I have come to the conclusion that advancing the welfare of the people, society and humanity remains the major purpose of government and hallmark of a public servant”, he said.
“I have at all times devoted myself to the positive advancement of humanity at every inch of opportunity that crossed my way as my modest contributions to societal change. So, for me, no other best place I call home other than Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, as I have lived a better part of my life there, especially with my unique background as an indigene of Igbogbo and Bayeku communities”.
While explaining further reasons for his decision, the Chairmanship aspirant went philosophical, stating that the occasion of his 50th birthday celebration provided him with the best opportunity to relate his experiences in the last 50 years, which, according to him, encouraged him to aspire.
“I think it’s the best way to go. If I had decided to go theological, I might be regarded as an extremist. If not, I would have said that it is not necessary to celebrate birthday. If I should go economical, I might be regarded as a stingy mogul. If not, I would have said that it doesn’t worth celebrating lavishly. However, while I give Almighty God the entire glory every day for showering His Mercy upon me and my family, never would I exempt my 50th Birthday”, Shakiru explained.
“In this my five decades of lifetime, not only have I aged like fine wine, l have also gathered wisdom and experiences that have sculpted a truly extraordinary journey in my life. It is the best moment to tell all at the presence of those that made me, and inspired my intention to serve.
“In the journey of life, I have faced challenges that tested my strength and character. The illegal demolition of my multi-million naira completed duplex in May 2022, was a devastating blow. Lives were lost, while some are still grappling with the aftermath, yet, I give thanks to God for His mercy that spared me. That is a big shock absorber to my aspiration, that I have the will to subdue pressure.
“However, I am happy that I was able to make this ambition known in the presence of some of my political leaders, religious groups, community leaders, families, APC Stalwarts, friends and associates”, he said.
Shakiru disclosed that since his declaration, the level of support for his campaign has increased with people willingly showing their interests to be part of it.
He assured the people, especially party members, that his government will ensure that they get the benefits that they deserved.
“Sincerely, it has been encouraging. The level of support has increased, people were willing to be part of the struggle, because it’s going to be a government for all”, he said.
“A government that would be giving party structures Inspecting Polling Officers (IPO,). We would engage them by giving them contracts, like drainage evacuation, road maintenance and so on. The era of working for the party as an exco or party member without benefit after election would be over. That’s why our slogan is “…everyone matters”.
While stating that his movement is still consulting stakeholders, the Chairmanship aspirant pledged to make his agenda for the people of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, public by June.
“Yeah, it’s a team working in Ire-Otun 2025. We are done with our manifestos and would be unveiled to the public by June 2024. Presently, we are trying to reach out to more people in our consultation, and make sure we have a strong team. Many people are still showing interest to be part of the struggle because they believe we have the capacity. Our plans will start to be unfolding starting from June by God’s grace”, he said.
