I’m Contesting Ede South Chairmanship Seat To Serve, Says Asiri Ede

By Rafiu Agboola, Osogbo

Alhaji Olalekan Lateef, National Coordinator, Yorùbá Progressive Forum (YPF), says he is contesting the local government Chairmanship Election following calls to serve from his people.

Lateef, popularly called Asiri Ede, contesting for Ede South Local Government Chairmanship seat, spoke with Journalists in Ede, shortly after he obtained his Nomination and expression of interest Forms at the party Secretariat, Osogbo, Osun State capital.

He said: “When the OSIEC recently announced the date for the conduct of the local government election, leaders and members of the All Progressive Party (APC) in Ede South, called me.

“They said they were looking for an alternative, after holding several meetings in my absence, and that I should come and run for the position.

“But, I objected instantly, and told them that do they consider me for the position?

“Then, they gave me three reasons why I should reconsider my stand.

“They insisted that the community wants me to serve them, and that if I insisted not to comply, when next I come around for their assistance, they too will decline me.

“So, when I got home, I discussed it with my family, and concluded that I should run.

” They said if I refused the community now, they will also refuse me when I need their assistance most,” he said.

Lateef said he was not a first timer in politics, adding that he stepped down for the APC candidate in the primary for the State House of Assembly.

He promised that if given the opportunity to run and voted for in the coming election, priority would be given to health, education and youths employment.

Lateef explained that his tenure would be devoted to the development of communities in the council area.