I am not unaware of the agitation of our people for the position of Governor of Lagos State to be occupied by a person of Ikorodu origin. This agitation is legitimate, timely and rooted in the principle of equity and fair play. To appreciate it properly, one would need to understand the subtle sectional nuances of the politics of governorship in Lagos State. Lagos Island has actually produced three democratically elected governors of Lagos State, the first being Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who claimed Lagos West (Ikeja) as his political base. The second was Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also claimed Ikeja as his political base, and the third is the incumbent, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who claims Surulere as his political base of operations. Therefore, Lagos West has had Alhaji Lateef Jakande, (1984-1983), Lagos East (Epe) produced the late Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola, and Lagos West again produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In 2007, it was the turn of Lagos Central, who produced Babatunde Raji Fashola. The argument goes that If were going by the argument that we are all Lagosians, and therefore deserve equal access to all offices, especially the highest office in the land, that office should have rotated by now back to Lagos East, and Ikorodu being the most populous LG in that district, and arguably Lagos State, should be the natural choice. Interesting argument, marshalled and argued passionately by a large cross section of Ikorodu people, including the establishment, the youths, womens groups, the intelligentsia and the mandarins. However, a worrisome trend is beginning to rear its ugly head, a trend that I warned about at a meeting I attended at the behest of a group of Ikorodu senior citizens. Some of our people are, quite simply, black legs. A couple of days ago, I got a call from one of those elders present at that meeting, and he asked for my credentials. This evening, I was reading a write-up on the internet, and clicked a link to a documentary obviously produced for a favoured candidate of the godfather of Bourdillon, and who do I see, extolling the virtues of that candidate and praising his suitability for the the high office of that office??? The same elder who had so warmly requested my CV a few days ago!!!! To say that I am shocked is an understatement. I guess every struggle for liberation must have its own traitors and betrayers. We seem to have more than our fair share in Ikorodu, and I say it now without sentiment that this agenda will not see the light of day, if left in the hands of these clearly compromised people. This is a call to all well meaning youths of Ikorodu to stand up and be counted. It does not even have to be Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi. Ola Animashaun, Jimi Benson, Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, Bolaji Oshinowo and others also have the pedigree, the passion and experience to run Lagos State, if a bag man of obscure origin can be considered fit. Will the REAL Ikorodu People Please Stand Up??
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 20:33:12 +0000