We received a copy of “Ikorodu Division in Safe Hands” a rejoinder to “Ikorodu in Bondage! Sins of our Fathers”, and we felt compelled to react to some innuendoes and the mention to our names as the authors of the initial handbill. Our first reaction was to ignore the rejoinder to let the sleeping dog lie, but because our names had been specifically mentioned and to put the record straight for the sake of posterity we decided to refute the innuendoes.
Early in June 2016, the social media amongst party members in Ikorodu Division went viral with agitations about the perceived trend about marginalization, nepotism and hegemonic tendencies by the leadership of the Party in Ikorodu Division. References were made to the promise made to aspirants to various posts during the 2015 Legislative elections to the effect that they will be availed opportunities which would be made available to the Division for appointment and patronage when the APC government assumes power. According to the agitators they felt betrayed and abandoned.
We read most of the conversation on the social media, and most times we counsel the aggrieved young politicians about the mechanism of political process which could be a cumbersome journey for politicians to reach their goals. This was the background to the handbills titled “Ikorodu in Bondage! Sins of our fathers”.
- PRESENTATION OF THE HANDBILL AT THE MEETING OF FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016
- Chief Kaoli Olusanya is the current Deputy Chairman of the APC Apex in Ikorodu Division, the position which is expected to bear some responsibilities in the Party administration. Unfortunately no executive committee of the Apex had been conveyed for more than a year. Decision making has been restricted and exclusive to two leaders.
- From the first week in May 2016, about 14 members of the Ikorodu APC Apex started holding meeting in my office to deliberate on the unpleasant trend of events in our party in Ikorodu Division as expressed in the social media and sometimes the uncouth language and threat in the conversation. Attendees’ concern and contributions were thoroughly deliberated at each meeting, but ended at each occasion with frustration with the leadership exclusive attitude to party administration.
- When we heard of the intention of the aggrieved youth coming to foment trouble at the apex meeting and distribute the handbills which might lead to chaos, we called and pleaded with them to give us some copies of the handbills and promised to present the petition on their behalf. Our action was intended to prevent a reoccurrence of the ugly incident during the 2014 party congress to nominate officers to LGA/LCDA party officers. On that occasion, the youth vented their anger on the leaders by throwing sachets of water at the leaders, jumped over Prince Ogunleye’s fence to attack the leaders. We were rescued by a contingent of police led by DPO Remi Adeoye who pleaded with the youth to leave the venue.
- On another occasion, the youth went on rampage again attacking the leaders and in the process Otunba Fatai Olukoga’s vehicle wind screen and other leaders vehicles were damaged. This is to establish that the youth could be destructive if there is no proper and timely intervention by leaders to counsel and interact with them in the language they would understand.
- This was the basis of Chief Kaoli Oiusanya action in presenting the handbill at the Apex meeting held on Friday 24, June 2016 on behalf of the youth who were the authors of the handbill.
- To provide credence to this narration, the apex leaders equally heard about the intention of the youth to come and disrupt the meeting, hence they put in place tight security manned by SSS and a contingent of armed policemen who screened all apex members including myself and Chief Olowu before we were admitted into the premises.
- But due to our proactive intervention the youth did not appear at the meeting, which otherwise could have led to a clash between the police and the youth. And the meeting was held in a calm atmosphere and ended peacefully.
- Even though l, Chief Kaoli Olusanya presented the handbill and said “l agree with the intent of the content of the handbill…” does not in any way suggest I was the author. I unequivocally put it on record that I was not the author but I shared the intent of the content within the context of the political situation in our party in Ikorodu Division which demands for reform and inclusion.
- WHAT ARE THE INTENTS OF THE HANDBILL
- With the trend in distribution of party offices and patronage in recent times, there was palpable fear among members that candidates to forthcoming local government election might be handpicked, a process which was vehemently rejected by the youth. All the youths clamour for PRIMARY ELECTION which has been the trend in APC.
- The handbill authors felt frustrated that the leaders had used and dumped them, and therefore devised a strategy to call for attention to reform before the next local government election to address members’ apathy.
- We shared the intent of the content of the handbill, because we believe the party administration needs to be reformed to make the decision-making process inclusive.
- We are not opposed to those who were selected for appointment but strongly averse to the process which led to the decision without consultations. The victory of the party at election which gave the opportunity for appointment was a collective effort; therefore distribution of the patronage should be by consultation and consensus.
- We are also strongly averse to the grandstanding which follows each new appointment and portray other leaders as irrelevant and inconsequential.
- INNUEDOES IN “IKORODU DIVISION IN SAFE HANDS”
- In the opening paragraph of the rejoinder it was alleged that “In all truth, it was Asipa Kaoli, leading a group of misguided (deliberately or intentionally) persons that produced the document after a series of meetings, and with the active connivance of his assistant, Chief Adenrele Olowu”.
- The statement is not the truth, as only those who attended our meeting could claim to know “all truth”. This claim must have been borne out of the lingering altercations between Chief Olowu and his uncle. The truth is that the 14 members of the apex who were meeting in Chief Olusanya’s office are respected members of Ikorodu Division some of whom have held positions of high responsibilities in both governments and our party. It is the 14 – member group that gave Chief Olusanya the mandate to present the handbill at the apex meeting on behalf of the youth.
- In paragraph 5, it was claimed -that “…two lists (for appointment) by the apex were produced for Ikorodu Constituency I and II…” leaders. But in all truth the content of the final list was known to the two leaders only. This action provoked a protest visit by Hon. Jimi Benson of the Federal House of Representative, and the two House of Assembly members, Hon. S. O. B. Agunbiade and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja to Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun who was the brain behind the exclusion of others in the decision making process.
- PERVASIVE COMMUNITY AGITATION
- The June 2016 Oriwu Sun, succinctly recorded the disapproval of the Party leadership style in Ikorodu Division. Virtually every one that was interviewed in the newspaper edition disagreed with the leadership style and warned about dire consequences if the trend persisted into the next local government election. Those interviewed included an Oba, highly respected elder statesmen, party members and general electorate. Could Chief Olowu and Olusanya be blamed for this pervasive agitation?
- CONCLUSION
- It is our honest opinion that the situation we found ourselves deserved a sober reflection to look inwards with open mind to embrace divergent views and accommodation rather than exclusion and grandstanding. The party should prepare for succession plan for greatness by building on solid foundation and structure anchored on trusted and tested party loyalists.
Thank you.
Long Live APC Ikorodu Division!
Long Live APC Lagos State!
Long Live APC National!
Long Live the National Leader!
Chief Kaoli Olusanya Chief Adenrele Olowu