To this end, prominent politicians in Ikorodu Division have expressed their interest to view for the governorship seat in Lagos next year with the full backings of the Ikorodu monarchs and elders.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabir Sotobi said all traditional rulers in Ikorodu had given their blessings and support to whoever emerged from Ikorodu to become the governor of Lagos State irrespective of political parties.
“It is the turn of Ikorodu to produce the next governor of Lagos State. I am not bothered about the zoning arrangement, the groups coming out now are not politicians. Ikorodu people should ensure that they do not lose their voting rights.
We want Ikorodu to produce the next governor of Lagos. The eminent personality in Ikorodu are not doing this alone. Our mission is to have governor who comes from Ikorodu come 2015.
“If the PDP decides to have candidate from Ikorodu, we will support them, if the APC decides to have candidate from Ikorodu, we will support them, if it is Labour Party, we will support them and so on,” he said.
Sotobi disclosed that about five people have indicated interest to view for the governorship seat under Ikorodu division, saying that three of them had been screened and cleared.
He those who had indicated interest to come out of Ikorodu to contest the governorship election are Senator Ganiu Olanrewaju Solomon, former Lagos Head of Service, Segun Ogunlewe and Taiwo Kara.
The Odofin added that other aspirants, such Jimi Agbaje and Babatunde Gbadamosi have indicated interest but had not been screened yet as they were waiting for the parties’ conventions before coming forward.
“The screening we are doing is to ascertain who and who is from Ikorodu. We don’t want people that will come now to claim Ikorodu and later move to claim they are from Somolu.
“Some others who want to indicate interest said they are still waiting for due process. They won’t declare their intentions now until their parties’ conventions,” he stated.
Princess Folashade Oba, an IDSA Women Leader, said agitation of the people of Ikorodu for the position of governor of Lagos State is legitimate, timely and rooted in due principle of equity, justice and fair play.
She said the Ikorodu Division, being the most populous and the only standing division in Lagos comprised Imota, Isiu, Ijede, Igbogbo, Bayeku, Ipakodo, Egbin, Owutu, Ishawo, among others, saying “this is a clarion call to all well-meaning people of Ikorodu division and lovers of democracy and justice to stand up and be counted globally.”
