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Revealed: Why Honourable Owolabi’s Second Term Ambition Failed

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Facts have emerged on the reasons why the out-going member, Ifako-Ijaiye Federal constituency, Hon James Adisa Owolabi polled two votes during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election held in Ifako-Ijaiye, thereby failing to secure a second term ticket to represent the party in the forth-coming election.

Hon Owolabi lost the APC ticket for the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal constituency to Mr Benjamin Olabinjo, a former Special Adviser, Civic Engagement to ex-governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

He polled 2 votes to Olabinjo’s 35 votes while Mr Dayo Saka-Fafunmi scored 14 votes and Mr Adekunle Olayinka (KOPI) polled 4 votes.

IfakoIjaiyeNews went behind the scenes and spoke with some highly placed sources within his camp, as well as some stakeholders within the party on how ‘Elewedu’ as he is fondly called, failed to secure the buy-in of party bigwigs.

Lack Of Political Sagacity

One of the accusations against Hon Owolabi that led to his failed second term ambition is that he takes most decisions on his own, without consultation with major stakeholders in Ifako-Ijaiye.

A highly placed party leader in Ojokoro, who spoke anonymously with IfakoIjaiyeNews, said that Hon Owolabi informed stakeholders via a letter of his second term ambition.

He said, “The primary election has come and gone and we are looking ahead to a resounding victory for the APC from the presidency level to all other positions. However, we can also talk about how Hon Owolabi lost his second term bid so others coming after him don’t make the same mistake. We initially heard rumours that he would seek a second term in office until his letter arrived informing us of his intentions. Some of us felt disappointed.

“As stakeholders, we expected more. Some of us felt insulted. What happened to having everyone together in a place and telling us in person? We would have expressed our reservations and even chipped in one or two inputs. As I said, the primary election is over but we can’t ignore the lessons. Going into the primary election without the support of key stakeholders was an exercise in futility and we saw the end result. He didn’t play his politics well.”

A stakeholder in Ifako-Ijaye, who also didn’t want his name mentioned because of the sensitive nature of the matter said Hon Owolabi failed because he became a Reps member on a platter of gold.

“We know the story of how he became the member, Ifako-Ijaiye Federal constituency, and they say what you don’t labour for, you don’t know the worth. He did his best but it wasn’t enough. As party stakeholders, some of us do sample opinions of the people stylishly and the feedback we got about him was not encouraging. He didn’t meet up the expectation of the office.”

Hon Temitope Adewale’s Numerous Programmes

Another factor that dwarfed the impact of Hon Owolabi and contributed to the negative feedback from people was the many successes achieved by the member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01, Hon Temitope Adewale Adedeji.

Hon Adewale has raised the bar of governance through many impactful programmes for residents of his constituency, despite being a lawmaker.

One of the aides to Hon Owolabi who spoke to IfakoIjaiyeNews on the condition of anonymity said they couldn’t keep up with the different programmes initiated by Hon Adewale.

He said, “The truth is that Hon Adewale made us look like we are not doing enough and that is not so. Anytime Hon JAH (Adewale) launches any programme, our phones will not stop ringing. People will ask us what we are doing, especially since our Oga (Hon Owolabi) is representing Ifako-Ijaiye at the Federal Level. Hon Adewale made us look bad.

“It was one of the reasons we did the education empowerment programme where we gave school bags and exercise books to students. When people say we didn’t do enough, I just laughed. Hon Owolabi did a lot. He gave Obawole community a primary school in its history; he distributed transformers to communities that needed them. He did empowerment programmes. He raised motions in the House regarding Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency. He did his part but the people wanted something more.”

People Are More Politically Active

The last factor, according to a Ward party Chairman in Ojokoro, who also begged to remain anonymous, is that the people are more politically conscious.

“Gone are the days when elected politicians will just be in office and not do anything for the people. We saw what happened to Hon Makinde and how he didn’t score a single vote. People are more politically conscious and will vote out anybody they feel is not doing enough for them. This is a good thing as politicians will now think more about the people that elected them.”

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  1. Realtor. Kayode Olabode

    October 5, 2022 at 1:09 pm

    Hmmmmm…. To be fair and honest, Hon. Owolabi did his best, let’s forget his short comings. No one is perfect and there is no way one can pleases and satisfy everyone. He left behind good legacy that will outlive him. He make good history.
    I give it to him, government is continum, let whomever coming after him outshine his commendable records. It is a known fact that the present APC house of Reps was once Ojokoro LCDA Executive Chairman,and SA to the governor on Civil Engagement what has been his tracked record while in offices and contribution to the Ifako Ijaiye and Ojokoro within those period aside building his political team?…

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POLITICS

Funke Akindele Speaks On Electoral Defeat

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The Lagos deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the just concluded polls, Funke Akindele, has finally opened on the defeat suffered at the polls.

In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Akindele who was the running mate of Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (Jandor) in the Lagos governorship race noted that she has no regrets about running for office.

The Nollywood actress, however, admitted that she has “learned and unlearned.”

In her statement, she never acknowledged Jandor or the Lagos PDP but thanked the people of Lagos State for supporting her.

Full statement by Funke Akindele 

It has been an amazing and insightful experience on my journey to the ballot and I must say, it was an absolute learning curve for me. A lot of things have been learned and unlearned. I sincerely do not regret taking this huge step of running for office.

I, therefore, want to thank the people of Lagos state for believing in me and supporting my decision to run for office. I saw every message of support online and offline, I heard of all the places where people supported me and challenged those who tried to discredit me

I remember every warm welcome during our campaign tour and the faith you all showed in me. The elections might not have panned out in the way we hoped, but it was an honourable run for us. We fought a good fight indeed as a matter of fact.

I also want to encourage all who mean well for the Nation and the state of Lagos not to give up. I understand that some of us are beginning to develop some sort of apathy towards the system, however, if we do not speak, we would never be heard.

I’m glad that we could at least speak up.

Thank you once again Lagos, for showing your daughter support. As I consider my next moves in life, I will continue prioritizing the good of the people and the integrity of my position as an advocate for the people.

Eko oni baje!

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Vote Candidates With Experience, Hamzat Tells Lagosians

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Femi Hamzat

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, says residents should not allow inexperienced persons to manage the affairs of the state by voting for the right candidates.

Hamzat stated this at an interactive session with the University of Lagos Alumni Association,  Lagos state chapter, and Alumni of other institutions of higher learning in the state held at Igbobi college in Yaba.

The deputy governor noted that the re-election of candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into power in the March 18 gubernatorial election, would ensure a better state and country.

He said successive governments of the APC in Lagos state since 1999, had done a lot to improve the standard of living of residents.

According to him, the government has improved on healthcare delivery, security,  and ensured that the streets are free of dirt, as well as improved on road networks among others.

The deputy governor, therefore, urged the people to give their votes and also ensure the return of Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu as the governor of Lagos state.

Lagos State Deputy Gov. Dr Obafemi Hamzat (Middle) and members of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos State Chapter Stakeholders’ Outreach

“A vote for Sanwo-Olu in Saturday’s gubernatorial election is a vote for a greater Lagos.

“Sanwo-olu’s administration has in the last four years,  done exceptionally well in all sectors of the economy and another tenure of four years will help the administration develop Lagos further.

“I assure you of greater development if reelected,” he said.

Hamzat also advised residents to be law-abiding as they performed their civic responsibility at the polls.

(NAN)

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EXPOSED: Labour Party, PDP In Secret Meeting In Ifako-Ijaiye

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifako-Ijaiye may find it difficult to maintain its hold on the Local Government as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have begun to meet on plans to defeat the ruling party in the Local Government.

Buoyed by the success of the Labour Party in the last presidential election in Lagos State, the party is now more than confident that it will unseat Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other APC candidates for the House of Assembly elections on March 11.

IfakoIjaiyeNews can authoritatively report that some high ranking members of both parties (PDP and LP) in Ifako-Ijaiye met over the possibility of an alliance.

At the meeting, which outcome was leaked to IfakoIjaiyeNews, the Labour Party candidate for Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01, Comrade Oluwakayode Oladunni, said the momentum is on the side of his party and urged his PDP counterpart, Hon Oloyede Mutairu Abiodun to mobilise his structure for him.

One of the arguments against the PDP candidate is also that he is unknown to most residents and he didn’t bother to campaign or even join the campaign trail on Hon Fateema Mohammed, the PDP Reps candidate.

A PDP chieftain at the meeting who spoke anonymously with IfakoIjaiyeNews, said that Hon Abiodun, truly has not put any resources into campaigning and he knows he is not one of the major contenders.

“The meeting was not a bad one. It is the start of many more of such meetings. We need to form an alliance to unseat the APC in Ifako-Ijaiye. This is our best opportunity and with the momentum on the side of Labour Party and our candidate not also a serious one, we see the alliance working.

“Let me be sincere, Hon Abiodun has been contemplating the offer from Comrade Oladunni and the offer is tempting. At this point, we have nothing to lose. However, we are also speaking to the APC camp to see what could be done. We want to remain relevant after this election,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the APC candidate for the Ifako-Ijaiye constituency 01, Hon Adewale Temitope Adedeji, has stepped up efforts by meeting with stakeholders from the South Eastern part of the country living in Ifako-Ijaiye.

 

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