As the political momentum and intrigues towards the 2019 general elections continue to build up, a leading voice from the opposition party in Lagos state, Mr Omobolaji Oshinowo has advised Ikorodu Division stakeholders and political gladiators to start considering giving their support to candidates of the opposition party, if the division must rise into political reckoning in 2019 and beyond.
Oshinowo, who also doubles as the Director-General of the Babatunde Olusola Gbadamosi Campaign Organisation (BOGCO) made the remark when featuring on INSIDE IKORODU, an Ikorodu Oga Radio magazine show recently.
According to him, Ikorodu which used to be the firsts in almost every spheres of life in Lagos state and Nigeria at large has lost its place of reckoning, in the scheme of things, particularly in the politics of Lagos State where her indigenes like Chief T.O.S Benson, Otunba Adeniran Ogunsanya, Chief S.O.G Gbadamosi and many others played leading roles.
‘Ikorodu division used to be the firsts in almost every good things you can think of, either in Lagos State or Nigeria. We had the first Architect in Nigeria, the First Female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Nigeria’s First Minister for Information. Our late brother, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi was the youngest Commissioner in Nigeria at 26 years of age. This is why we are called Ikorodu Oga, but the reverse is the case today’ he said.
Speaking further, Oshinowo stressed that, ‘there was a time we used to have permanent secretaries, director generals, commissioners, sometimes up to three or four coming from Ikorodu division. But, right now Ikorodu division has lost its goodwill in the scheme of things in Lagos politics. What do we have to show for our loyalty to the ruling party since 1999, practically nothing’.
The opposition politician also berated the current situation where Ikorodu has lost its voice and relevance in the running of the affairs of Lagos State under the ruling party.
Asked for what could be responsible for the dwindling political fortunes of the division, Oshinowo blamed it on the dearth of visionary and selfless leadership among current leaders in the ruling party, who he claimed are all concerned about their personal benefits and what comes into their pockets.
He regretted the lack of vibrant and selfless political leadership, like the one provided for the division under the late Ikorodu’s political leader, Alh Mufutau Ajisebutu in his lifetime as the bane of Ikorodu’s political development.
Oshinowo, however appealed to ‘our people across Ikorodu division to wake up from their slumber and join hands with the ADP and its candidate, Mr Babatunde Olusola Gbadamosi to restore Ikorodu’s dwindling fortunes.
