The Chairmanship aspiration of a leading All Progressives Congress aspirant, Com Japhet Odesanya received a major boost yesterday, when he was openly endorsed by a group of former Political Office Holders in Ikorodu Local Government as their preferred candidate for the Ikorodu Local Government Chairmanship, ahead of the 2025 local government elections.
The group of former public office holders served alongside the Chairmanship hopeful during the administration of Late Alh Lateef Anipole between 2011-2014 when Com. Japhet Odesanya was the Secretary to the Local Government.
The group, led by a former Supervisor for Sports, Chief Adekoya Fatai Atoloye, stated that, having worked closely with Odesanya under the Late Alh Anipole’s administration, they were convinced that he was the best among the aspirants currently jostling for the exalted office, hence the endorsement.
The former political office holders include, Hon. Chief Fatai Adekoya Atoloye, former Supervisor for Sports, Hon. Olushola Bada, former Supervisor for Agriculture and Hon. Abideen Fasasi, former Deputy Leader, Ikorodu Local Government legislative arm.
Others were Hon. Olasunkanmi Osinowo, former Supervisor for Market and IGR, Hon. Hameed Owolabi, former Supervisor for Health and Hon. Leke Shokunbi, from MP, Ward E, Ikorodu.
The endorsement took place at Ward F when the Kolujo Campaign Team, led by the Chairmanship aspirant, Com Japhet Odesanya held a strategic meeting with the campaign structure across the seven wards across the council area.
In his brief remarks at the parley, Odesanya stated that the meeting was meant to solidify the Kolujo Campaign Team structure across all the wards in Ikorodu Local Government.
‘We are coming up with a strong and formidable structure of strong and principled politicians within our party hierarchy’.
He noted that the over-monetization of the Nigerian political system was responsible for the current economic hardships confronting the nation.
He equally blamed the current economic realities on corruption and bad leadership which stemmed from the emergence of opportunistic politicians who are not ready for good governance but rather to take advantage of the system.
According to the former Secretary to the Ikorodu Local Government, the rot in the Nigerian system was caused by leaders who lacked vision and courage to lead the nation into economic prosperity, as being demonstrated by Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Odesanya therefore charged the party chieftains to collaborate with him and the “Kolujo” team to reposition Ikorodu Local Government for economic prosperity.
The former Secretary to Ikorodu Local Government also revealed that the “Kolujo” ideology was inspired by the need to galvanize all the various interests and stakeholders in the Council area for good governance.
‘We have a duty and obligation to unite Ikorodu. It is too fragmented and we cannot continue like that and expect a prosperous Council’, he stated.
“Kolujo” as fondly called by his teeming supporters further pledged to reform the entire gamut of the Ikorodu local government system, if given the opportunity to serve.
He equally commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for spearheading the local government autonomy, stressing that it has now restored power to the grassroots people
He concluded by charging the “Kolujo” Team to go back to their wards and mobilize all Ward Exco Members and every stakeholder to rise up and insist on transparency and merit in choosing the party’s candidate for the forthcoming 2025 Local Government Elections.
Prominent members of the “Kolujo” campaign team at the event were, the Director-General, Hon Owolabi Hammed, Chief Fatai Adekoya, Director of Traditional Affairs and Hon Kazeem Oni-Orisan, the Director of Mobilization.
The Team also includes, Prince Adebola Ajasa, Director of Finance Alhaja Taiwo Fatuga, Director of Women Affairs, Olushola Bada, Director of Welfare and Hon. Olasunkanmi Osinowo, Director of Security affairs and Bola Mabunmi Youth leader
Others were, Olasupo Oyenuga, Director of Christian Affairs, Alhaji Sholesi Yusuf, Director of Islamic Affairs, Com Tayo Odesanya, Director of Logistics, Abideen Fasasi, Director of Community Affairs and Bode Oteju, Director of Protocol.
Ward Coordinators of the “Kolujo” Team also attended the parley. They were, Alhaji Kazeem Ige Benson. Director, Ward A, Mojisola Ajenifuja Ward B, Alhaji Olayinka Ward C, Odugbesi Afeez (Bugatti) Ward D, Prince Adebola Ajasa Ward E, Bola Mabunmi Ward F, Olushola Olawoore Ward G and Mr Sola Olawore, Director, Ward B
