Ikorodu LG Politics: Youth Leader Guns for Chairmanship

Adeyinka Aremu, Ikorodu

An interesting political episode is radically unfolding in Ikorodu with the entry of a vibrant youth into the political race, hitherto left to the preserve of elders

On Thursday 16th  March  2017 the immediate past Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State, Prince Adebajo Oluwafemi Gbadebo formally made declaration to  contest  for the chairmanship of ikorodu Local Government Central, under the banner of the All Progressives Congress.

The declaration took place at the popular Ogunsaya  compound, Oke Ota-Ona, Obafemi Awolowo Way, ikorodu.

The event witnessed massive turn out of supporters, from among the youths, the elderly, friends, family members, party members and well wishers.

With the slogan, Ti Ara Ilu Ni A nse fun anfani to kari ile, to kari oko….. ; and Itesiwaju Ilu  Ikorodu lojimilogu, Ikorodu town went agog for Prince Gbadebo, renowned as the man of the people, equipped with bundles of ideas.

Gbadebo, a former Secretary of Oga Luminaries, a Community Based Organisation, social-charity club in Ikorodu promised to run a government of change, inclusiveness, transparency and probity whose achievements would be unmatched in the political history of Ikorodu.

“It is on record that, since Nigeria’s independence, my achievements remain unequalled in the Lagos State NYCN, I am equally assuring my supporters, particularly the youths that superb and greater achievements shall be pursued, if given opportunity.

“I have done my homework, this is a long dream that shall soon be nurtured into reality. I have my blueprint, I have my strategic plan in place. With the opportunity of serving the NYCN at the state and my exposure at the National level, the sky is the limit. I am armed with the political history of Ikorodu Local Government, I have studied achievements of past Chairmen like Chief Jacobs Awolesi, Alhaji Mufutau Ajisebutu and Alhaji Akibu Adewumi among others. I have been mentored by great achievers and I have studied their achievements with a view to surpassing them.”

The large turn out of Ikorodu indigenes who trooped out to support their own was not only overwhelming but also unprecedented, according to several individuals who witnessed the event. And the prayer on the lips of many of them is for the stakeholders to grant Prince Gbadebo the necessary leverage and opportunity to serve.

According to Prince Mikail Adeeyo, Vice President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (South-West), “Ikorodu couldn’t have been better blessed than the choice of Prince Gbadebo. He has what it takes. I am happy he eventually yielded to pressure from many of his admirers who he has mentored for over a decade, through meticulous and meritorious service to the nation. I pray he scales through the hurdles of primary election,” he said.