Kunle Adelabu
-Party leaders to decide on abroad aspirants, others
The screening of the Chairmanship aspirants vying for the position of the Ikorodu Local Government Chairman, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were concluded on Saturday with the screening of the three last aspirants.
The panel screened about 20 aspirants in the course of the four days of the exercise. The screenings were peacefully conducted at the Divisional APC apex leaders secretariat.
Throughout the screening, only members of the panel were allowed into the screening room on the top floor of the secretariat while aspirants were called in one – after – the – other for interaction with the party leaders that constituted the panel.
Aspirants screened on the last day were Chief Bisoro Oyebola Dawodu Olowoshago, a community mobiliser, Princess (Hon.) Folashade Olabanji – Oba, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LG and the National Chairman, Nigerian Vice Chairmen’s Forum and Otunba Fatai Olajide Olukoga, former Special Adviser on Education and a retired Permanent Secretary.
The screening panel led by Alhaji Gafaar, former APC Vice Chairman, Lagos East had on Friday screened Hon. Adebowale, Council Leader, Ikorodu LG, Comrade Japheth Odesanya (Kolujo), former Secretary to Ikorodu LG, Mr Oladele Ogunfodunrin (Omo Alausa), a health professional and public commentator, Prince Adebayo Ladega, a businessman and Prince Eniayewun Reuben Oyewole.
Others that appeared before the panel during the week include Mr Yinka Majekodunmi, a senior staff with the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Mutiu Animashaun, former Supervisor, Ikorodu LG, Mr Babawale Alogba, a businessman, Mr Adedeji Osho, former Supervisor, Ikorodu LG, Alhaji Kabat Ajalogun, retired Director, Lagos State Ministry of Education and Vice Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Alhaji Murisiku Ajisebutu (Marshal), Mr Kazeem Sowemimo, a Supervisory Councilor, and Prince Afolabi Oyefusi, a Supervisory Councillor among others.
One of the aspirants and a former Council leader, Ikorodu LG, Hon. Azeez Jimoh Olosugbo, withdrew from the race at the beginning of the exercise.
Mr Ibrahim Alani Onibudo, Canada -based aspirant, Mr Yusuf Atebo Owolewa, who is based in the UK and Mr Azeez Lamina who is currently on Ummrah, Mr Gbadebo Taofeek Oluwafemi, Chairman, Lagos judiciary union, who is also in ummrah and Mr Idowu Alli, who is also abroad were the other aspirants not available for the screening.
Speaking with panel Chairman, Alhaji Gafaar, after the exercise on Saturday, it was learnt that the exercise went well and that its committee enjoyed the cooperation of the entire aspirants that appeared before it.
When asked about aspirants that were not available for the screening, the panel chairman said the committee would submit its report to the apex leadership of the party which would take a decision on the absentee aspirants.
“Our committee will be submitting its report to the party and it is left for the party to decide what it is going to do about them.
The party may extend the screening by giving them another opportunity or whatever. That is left for the party to decide.” Alhaji Gafaar said.
Meanwhile, THE IMPACT gathered that the ruling party intends to reduce the number of the aspirants from 23, which many have said is too large to a manageable size of competent, and experienced aspirants with electoral values.
The exercise we gathered is to further reiterate the party’s position that aspiring for the chairmanship positions and obtaining the party’s nomination form which we also gathered would be fixed around N5million by the state APC does not guarantee consideration for other positions after the local government elections.
Meanwhile, Chief Dawodu – Olowoshago, the only aspirant that spoke with our reporter among the three that appeared on the last commended the panelists for job well done.
He said that he was satisfied with the panel conduct, adding that he is sure of emerging as the best aspirant among others.
