Less than two weeks to the IKODASS election, a group of concerned members of the Ikorodu Oga Development association, IKODASS, under the aegis of the ‘Positive Thinkers’ has taken a bold step towards mounting pressure on the incumbent IKODASS Chairman, Alh Olusegun Abiru to contest for a second term in office.
To press home its demand, the group hosted well-attended press briefing at the Ikorodu town hall on Thursday, 19th April, 2019 where it reeled out catalogue of reasons why Abiru’s second term bid was the best option for IKODASS.
Addressing members of the press, Market men and women, Baales and other IKODASS stakeholders, Com. Kehinde Okeowo who addressed the press on behalf of the group noted that, ‘many individuals have expressed interest in contesting for elective positions of IKODASS. While this is a welcome development and a positive indication among Ikorodu sons and daughters to serve their community in various capacities, our group, Positive Thinkers have taken keen interest in the candidates jostling for the Chairmanship of our great association and we are worried and concerned about the future of IKODASS’.
Speaking further, she said, ‘we recognize the fact that the burden of performance is laced on the leader of any organisation, and in this case, the IKODASS Chairman. As Positive Thinkers, we have consulted widely with the traditional institution, market men and women, Social Clubs, Trade associations, Youth groups and other IKODASS stakeholders and the general consensus among them is that since IKODASS has witnessed unprecedented transformations under the visionary and pragmatic leadership of Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru in the last two years, there is need to give him the opportunity to consolidate on his achievements, by serving for a second term in office’.
The group listed some of the unprecedented achievements of Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru in office to include the rebranding and re-positioning of IKODASS and Ikorodu Oga Day celebrations. Unprecedented declaration of N3.5Million and N4.250M as proceeds from the sale of Ikorodu Oga Day ankara in 2017 and 2018 respectively and introduction of Ikorodu Oga Day raffle ticket, leading to the winning of a Toyota Corolla by an indigene. Other achievements, according to the group are the refurbishment of IKODASS Secretariat- office and conference room, the introduction of innovative programmes like Ikorodu Economic Summit, Ikorodu Trade Fair, Made-in-Ikorodu Marketplace Directory, transparent and pragmatic leadership, among others.
The group added that, though the IKODASS constitution allows for a second term for a serving Chairman but the highly principled Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru has refused to run for a second term in office, citing personal reasons.
‘We have therefore called this press conference to call on our traditional ruler, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Council of Baales, Iyalojas, Social Clubs, Associations and all well-meaning Ikorodu sons and daughters at home and in diaspora to please, prevail on Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru not to abandon a ship he has helped to successfully captain in the last two years in the middle of the deep sea’, Okeowo said.
‘With Abiru second coming as IKODASS Chairman, we would have succeeded in consolidating on the solid foundation laid by successive IKODASS past Chairmen, particularly Otunba Abiru himself, thereby guaranteeing the continuous growth and development of our collective heritage and sustaining the improved image of IKODASS as a pride of all and sundry’.
‘It is important to stress that, a lack of consolidation of achievements by past IKODASS Chairmen is responsible for the stunted growth and development of IKODASS and our annual Ikorodu Oga Day celebrations. Therefore, we declare that we need Abiru for Stability, Continuity and Consolidation of IKODASS’.
She concluded by pleading with all and sundry to join the clarion call on Otunba Abiru to re-contest as IKODASS Chairman for a second term by spreading the #BringBackAbiru4SecondTerm on all social media and public platforms, until Otunba Abiru accepts the group’s call to re-contest.
Present at the briefing are representatives of clubs, groups and associations and they were unanimous in their clamour for the second coming of Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, as provided by the IKODASS constitution.
To demonstrate its seriousness and commitment to the Abiru for Second Term project, the group announced that it has purchase the nomination form for him, while calling on all and sundry to prevail on Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru to accept their plea to serve as Chairman, Ikorodu Oga Development Association, IKODASS by filling and signing the nomination form before the deadline for submission of nomination form on Sunday.
In a brief remark at the briefing, Alh Taofikat Allison, the Iyaloja of Ikorodu division threw her weight behind the second term bid of Abiru. She also suggested that all sons and daughters of Ikorodu should join their voices to that of ‘Positive Thinkers’ to prevail on Otunba Abiru to seek re-election.
Similarly, Chairman, Council of Baales, Ikorodu local government, Chief Odusoga commended the group and assured them of the support of Baales and Oba Shotobi for the successful re-election of Otunba Abiru as IKODASS Chairman for a second term in office. He added that, considering Abiru’s sterling performance in his first term, there was no need to change a winning team.
Alh Lanre Adebogun, Zonal Secretary, RTEAN Ayangburen zone who represented the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association, RTEAN Ikorodu, Alh Sulaiman Ajisakin commended the excellent performance of Otunba Abiru, particularly in the area of quality Ankara sales and progress recorded on the building of IKODASS civic centre under the dynamic leadership of Otunba Abiru. He further pledged his association’s support for the re-election bid of Otunba Abiru.
Speaking on behalf of the incumbent IKODASS executive members, IKODASS Deputy Chairman, Alh Fatai Kolawole noted that the incumbent Abiru-led executive members are solidly behind his re-election as that was the right way to go in order to allow Alh Abiru and his team consolidate on their achievements.
Prince Jokotex Oyeleye, Baale of Idafa reiterated that, having been involved in the sales of IKODASS Ankara in the past, he understood what it means for Otunba Abiru-led executive to have declared profits in the region of N3.5million and N4.2M respectively in two years.
He however added that, should Abiru refuse to re-contest, he would have succeeded in doing more harm than good to the entire Ikorodu community.
As at the time of filing this report, we are unable to reach Otunba Abiru on his position on the group’s demand.
