Kunle Adelabu
One major factor for intense politicking, lobbying and warlike contest amongst aspirants vying to emerge as candidate of the the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the dominance of the political space by the party due to its massive structure and ability to win any election. With these, aspirants always go for each other jugular to emerged as the preferred because they are guaranteed electoral victory against other opposition parties.
This is while jostling for the candidacy of the party in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA for the upcoming local government elections and other places have been intense despite the fact that the guidelines is not out yet and nobody is actually sure of the modalities that the elections would take. Indications have shown that Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA will definitely be one of the councils that would attract massive attention when the electioneering fully kick – off.
From all indications, it is the turn of the Justice Forum (JF) to present candidate for the party since Builder Sesan Daini, the incumbent Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA was produced from The Mandate Movement (TMM)/The Mandate Group (TMG), but this has not prevented aspirants from the TMM/TMG from also declaring their interests in the race, which shows that they don’t want to be excluded from the scheme of things.
Political observers have however said that the TMM/TMG that are declaring for the Chairmanship position in the council are only placing themselves for consideration for Vice Chairmanship position and other appointive positions like Secretary to the Council, Supervisor and Special Adviser positions. Some are also said to aspire to keep making themselves politically relevant and consider for board and other appointments when there is any opening.
But whichever the case, some leaders would play major role in who becomes the next APC candidate in the council chiefly among who are the two chieftains of Governance Advisory Council (GAC) – Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun and Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe and a former Commissioner, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, but THE IMPACT gathered that the Sen. Ogunlewe is not deeply involve in who emerges because he is a chieftain of the TMM/TMG at the state and Ikorodu Division level and did not want to rock the political arrangement between the two dominant groups within the APC.
But it was also gathered that his concern is that whoever that would emerge must be a good party man who has sacrificed and committed to the party. Thus, whomever that the JF will be presenting must be someone appealing to him. This development, many observers said has reduced the Igbogbo/Bayeku political challenges by 40%. It is gathered that he told some aspirants that came to consult/inform him about their aspirations with their team that they should not bother aspiring, while he also told others after scrutinizing them that they should go and get Asiwaju Basorun’s blessing if they are serious about their aspirations.
Like Ogunlewe, Asipa Kaoli who is also a TMM/TMG chieftain is also not keen in challenging the JF and also looking forward to a credible candidate and peaceful conduct.
This situation, make the coast clear for the JF and the number one person within that group is Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, a former Secretary to the State Government, who is effectively in charge of its group’s political machinery. In addition to this, it was gathered that the JF leaders at the state level and the former Deputy Governor, and the indefatigable leader of the group in Ikorodu Division, Prince Abiodun Ogunlewe, have said that they will only honour a candidate presented by Asiwaju Basorun.
This may have accounted for the shadow primary which was called by the JF at the Asiwaju Basorun’s house some weeks ago, which was disrupted by protests. As gathered from some of the aspirants and leaders of the group, Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), a staff of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and a prominent youth leader in Igbogbo, was favoured by the leader. THE IMPACT gathered that a larger percentage of JF leaders in Igbogbo/Bayeku have accepted Aroyewun as the group’s candidate except a few.
His aspiration, we gathered has also received support from within the TMM/TMG and other groups in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and outside the council.
Also crucial in determining who emerges the APC candidate in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, are Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, the Senator representing Lagos East and Rep. Babajimi Benson, representatives of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, but none of the two, going by their politics, we gathered would want to determine who emerges for the political leaders in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA or have a faceoff with them. In actual fact, it was gathered they will endorse whoever is presented by the leaders as a sign of respect and honour once such is popular and credible.
Other JF leaders that will be determining who emerges as the group’s candidate with Asiwaju Basorun are Alhaji Abdullahi (Bobomi), Hon. Taiwo Orenuga, Chairman, APC, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Gbenga Basanya, former Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Yeye Bolanle Basorun, former Sole Administrator, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Mr Shakiru Odusanya, former General Manager, Lagos Printing Press, Hon. Gbenga Oshin, former member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Pastor Ayetoba, former Chairman, APC Igbogbo/Bayeku LGA, Mr Jamiu Benson, a chieftain of the party and Mr Raheem Oke and a few others. It is gathered that members of the group will give support to the decision of the majority leaders.
In the TMM/TMG group are Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Prince Jimoh Ogunmuyiwa, former Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Sefiu Ogunyemi (Lobito), former Chairman, APC Igbogbo/Bayeku and Yemisi Odusoga, Coordinator TMM, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA among others.
It was also gathered that the Isokan group, a political and working group of the incumbent Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Builder Daini, is also interested in presenting candidate from the group. It was gathered that the Mr Ade Bolowotan, the Chief of Staff to the Chairman and Director – General, AMA Smiles Foundation, emerged the group’s candidate through a shadow primary before that of the JF’s shadow primary.
But it was also gathered that Builder Daini’s interest extend beyond his Chief of Staff. THE IMPACT gathered that he is interested in other aspirants than the one that emerged at his group’s shadow primary. The council boss is said to be pushing the agenda of a serving Council Manager, Mr Kunle Bakare who was denied participation at the JF shadow primary and also Hon. Abolore, a former Councilor who represented Ward C3 (Bayeku/Offin/Oreta) several years back.
Also interested in who becomes the next Chairman are the traditional institution, religious circle and youth groups. These interests, we gathered are also polling the rope behind the scene for their choices and some are actually expressing their own openly.
The clamoring for inclusion by Ibeshe, Offin/Oreta and Bayeku axis of the council especially in producing the next chairman is another factor that is playing out like before, but how this will have major impact on deciding who becomes the next council chairman is yet to be seen.
Majority of the political leaders, party members and residents of Igbogbo/Bayeku, seems to favour a youthful candidate who is well established amongst them and have track records of community service youth engagement and have the trust of the people.
Since the unwritten arrangement between the JF and TMM/TMG is not casted on the stone, it also follow that anyone anywhere can also emerge since it is politics and only the APC as a party can present a candidate and not group, but emerging as the party’s candidate will not be an easy ride.
Some of those aspiring to take over from the incumbent, we gathered have started submitting their letters of intent to the party and its chieftains, to further prove their seriousness. According to sources, some of these aspirants that are working behind the curtail might not eventually submit their letters of intent because of certain political developments, one of which is the emergence of a consensus candidate within the JF. There are also others that are yet to show face but whose identity would be revealed in days to come as the party is getting ready for the election guidelines.
Among other prominent aspirants for the Chairmanship position from the Justice Forum are Hon. Gbenga Oshin, a former member, Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikorodu Constituency II and a Divisional officer of JF, Mr David Alagbe, a former APC candidate for the Ikorodu Constituency II seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. (Dr.) Matthew Kola Arowolo, a serving Councilor representing Owode/Ibeshe area of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and Hon. Nureni Okemaja, the incumbent Vice Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
Members of the TMM/TMG that have also shown interests are Mr Andu Balogun, Founder, Andus D’Great Schools, Igbogbo and Chairman, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Barr. Ade Ayeni, Secretary to Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Pastor Adelakun Abayomi, the immediate Chairman, Community Development Committee, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Alimi Nurudeen, Council Leader, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Mr Shakiru Seidu, Publisher, MegaXpression, Comrade Francis ’Mani Kongo’ Shonunbi, former Secretary, Igbogbo Day Planning Committee and chieftain of CIIDU, Barr. Olabinjo Adekoya Adetoun, a practicing lawyer, and community developer/advocate, and Hon. Sheu Aganga, former Councilor representing Ward C4, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
