The former Special Assistant on Education Management to the former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, Mr. Saheed Ibikunle, has declared his intention on Friday, August 17, 2018 to contest the legislative seat of Ikorodu constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly Election come 2019. Ibikunle made the declaration at his office in Aga, Ikorodu before All Progressive Congress members and the press. In his address, the former Special Assistant said that he had been a progressive politician for over twenty years.
In his words, “I feel highly honoured and elated to welcome you to this declaration. This declaration is unique in itself for many reasons. Chief among the reasons we are here and making this declaration is because the stake-holders in Ikorodu Constituency I unanimously agreed that we deserve more and need a fresh but experienced mind to deliver the needed dividends of democracy that is content-specific and people-oriented”. He described himself as the best choice for the legislative office, and according to him, he had the experience and academic qualifications to emerge as the new legislator of Ikorodu constituency I after the 2019 election.
In his legislative agenda, Saheed listed the following: Introducing fresh innovative and needed oriented bills that befits a smart city; Fresh approach to tackle marginalization among comity of divisions in the State. Others included, Education, Economic Empowerment, and Employment promotion. He said he would carry that out through adequate lobby for more primary schools for Ikorodu while also focusing on youth empowerment. He promised collaboration with various security agencies on the issue of security and intends also to institute Ikorodu Security Trust Fund (ISTF) to assist the agencies in discharging their duties.
Other agenda Saheed disclosed were the enhancement and fortification of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) for better and effective service delivery; bountiful welfare package for senior citizens; promotion of Health Insurance Bill for the people of Lagos State, especially the low-income earners, widows, indigents, market men and women including youth. He said he did not come out to contest because of the Direct Primary recently announced by the National leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to him, he had carried out proper consultation and it was the people’s yearning that a fresh person with a good political background should emerge to take the baton from the current Majority Leader of the House.
The former Special Assistant said that his sterling qualities of leadership would no doubt help him to succeed. He promised to encourage participatory democracy while leading from behind and named Hon. T. S. Giwa as the Director-General of his campaign organization. The DG, in his short address, urged the party members from Ikorodu Central, Ikorodu North and Ikorodu West to go all out and mobilize support for their candidate. He described Ibikunle as the man of the masses, who walks his talks. The Aspirant and his team moved to De Factor corridor, where he addressed more people, letting them know his intention and manifestoes for the people of Ikorodu Constituency I.
Party members present at the declaration included, Mrs. Yinka Ogunbule, (aka Iya Youth), Ward Leader, Ward-E, Aga-Ijomu; Leader (Ward E3), Ikorodu North, Prince R.S Oyenira; LGA Secretary, Ikorodu North, Hon. Opeyemi Taiwo; LGA Exco member, Ward A, Ikorodu Central, Remi Ogunniyi; APC Leader, North, Mrs. Abiola Shoaga; Dr. Fagbemi, (Ward B), Ikorodu Cenral.
Others were, Secretary, Omoluabi Campaign Organization, Dr. Wole Ajifowoke; Party Leader, Ikorodu North, Chief Victor Owolabi; Party Leader, Ikorodu West, Alfa .S. Alao; former Vice Chairman, Ikorodu West, Hon. Wasiu Adekoya, and former Ward A Chairman, Ikorodu West, Hon. (Chief) Hakeem Alejo, among other APC party faithful from Ikorodu Central, North, West, who all graced the occasion and showed their support.
