The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ojo Federal Constituency Campaign Council continued its engagements with stakeholders in the Federal Constituency when it met the Council of Obas in Ojo, Iba and Oto Awori councils.
The meeting which was held on Friday, 27 January, 2023 took place at the Council Chamber of Ojo Local Government Secretariat.
Director General of the Campaign Council, Hon. Rosulu Olusola Idowu, while welcoming the traditional rulers to the meeting expressed appreciation to the the royal fathers for attending the parley praying that their reign be long and fruitful.
He stated, that as custodians of tradition and cultural heritage, it is important and pivotal to meet and consult with them and at the same time present the party’s candidates to them, while seeking their advice and royal blessings.
Rosulu was particularly bitter that the Federal Constituency has been backward for more than seven years due to the low level representation its getting at the House of Representatives.
His words, “we can see opportunities and development being facilitated by House of Representatives members in other constituencies, but reverse is the case in Ojo because our representative is taking the constituents for granted. He only appears every four years, gives the people stipends a month to election and disappears thereafter.”
Hon. Rosulu asked the royal fathers to come to the aid of the party and the people they rule. He charged them to apply their strong and appealing influence to persuade indigenes and non-indigenous people in their respective kingdoms to support and vote for all candidates of the party.
He justified why the Obas must work for Asiwaju’s victory especially due to his outstanding performance as Governor of Lagos State in the past.
“While electing our sons as Assembly Members is in the two Constituencies is sacrosanct, working for a performing Governor (Mr Babajide SanwoOlu) should not be treated with levity,” he said.
He further explained all that transpired in the meeting held with the Baales the previous day, charging the Obas to work with them to aid the victory of all the candidates of APC.
Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, commended the Obas for their tremendous support for the party.
She pleaded with the Obas to look beyond sentiments and anger motivated by whatever reason, and imbibe the spirit of love, oneness and unity for the good of the party and the people they rule.
Princess Sosan urged the royal fathers to help sensitize and educate the people on how and when to vote through available machinery within their kingdoms.
The Onijanikin of Ijanikin, Oba Momodu Ashafa expressed pleasure with the Campaign Council for consulting and seeking counsels from the traditional rulers. His words, “you have taken the right step and we shall do the needful.”
Onijanikin advised the political class to remain united, forgive one another and be trustworthy. He said Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done well for them, so they must make him enjoy the goodwill. He posited that all candidates are important, counselling that they must not forget their source. He concluded by lending his voice to door to door campaign after the ongoing engagements.
Oba Josiah Olarenwaju Ilemobade Aina of Oto Awori Kingdom, in his goodwill message, said many of the royal fathers have passed through the political class before becoming traditional rulers. He advised the candidates to brace up and charged the party’s leadership to redouble efforts to attain victory.
Oba Galib Adeniyi Rufai of Ojo Kingdom advised that the party should resort to door-to-door campaign, which he said is important to achieve victory in the coming elections.
The Chairman of the Council of Obas, Oba Abideen Adekanbi Durosinmi, Osolu of Irewe Kingdom, expressed sadness about selfish and greedy posture of some political leaders and why this should be avoided in the party’s bid to win the February 25 and March 11 elections.
He argued in favour of inclusion of traditional institutions and its rulers in modern governance, while he further spoke against sectionalism in the party. He promised to wield their influence on Baales within their kingdoms to help in achieving success for the party
The parley was attended by: His Royal Majesty, Oba Abideen Adekanbi Durosinmi, Osolu of Irewe Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba Momodu Ashafa, Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba Galib Adeniyi Rufai, Olojo of Ojo Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba Josiah Olanrewaju Ilemobade Aina, Oloto of Oto Awori Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba Abu Kazeem Kosoko, Elekunpa of Shibiri Ekunpa Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba Nofiu Dauda Odu Owo-Iya, Elete of Ete Kingdom; Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Hon. Rosulu Olusola Idowu, Campaign Council Director General; Bar. Babatunde Lawal, Secretary, Campaign Council; Prince Musibau Ashafa and Hon. Yisa Jubril.
Others are: the Apex Leader of Ojo Federal Constituency, Alhaji R.O Olorunfunmi; the LGA Party Chairmen of Ojo and Iba, Barrister Akinsanya, Women Leaders of APC.
Party’s candidates present were: Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, candidate for House of Representatives; Hon. Surajudeen Olatunji Tijani, candidate for Ojo State Constituency II; and Comrade Olusegun Adebisi Ege for Ojo State Constituency I.
