The Ikorodu Division People’s Forum, a body made up of critical stakeholders across Ikorodu Division of Lagos State has demanded for a minimum of four Commissionership slot to be allocated to the Division, under the current administration.
The body, rising from its Town Hall Meeting held in Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA of Ikorodu Division on Thursday, 3rd August made the demand through a communique issued at the end of the meeting.
The Town Hall meeting, which was Chaired by the Forum’s Chairman, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru had the Forum’s Secretary, Barr S.O.K Shillings and other members of the forum from different Ikorodu Division communities in attendance.
The Agba Akin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, who is a former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, also attended the meeting graced by some retired civil servants among other high profile stakeholders in attendance.
The body also described the allocation of one Commissioner slot to the entire Division as an act of oppression and a deliberate attempt to irritate the law abiding citizens of the Division.
The communique is hereby reproduced below;
COMMUNIQUE OF THE MEETING OF IKORODU DIVISION PEOPLE’S FORUM OF AUGUST 3, 2023.
Ikorodu Division suffered a historical underrepresentation in the appointment of Commissioners in the State as reflected in the List submitted by the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, July 27. 2023, whence only one Commissioner was shortlisted for the Division out of a list of 39, to wit: Ms Bisola Olusanya.
The General Meeting of the Forum held on Thursday, August 3, 2023, discussed the matter and resolved it as follows: The appointment of one Commissioner for Ikorodu Division by the Governor is inequitable and unacceptable.
Ikorodu Division is one of the 5 administrative Divisions of the State and has 6 of the Local Council Development Areas out of 57 and out of 16 in the Senatorial District.
Hence, cannot be entitled to only one by any means even based on 20 Local Government Councils.
The Forum hereby calls on the Governor of Lagos State to review the List and do the needful by granting the Division a minimum of 4 slots which is the least due by the formula of LCDAS or Senatorial District or the 5 Administrative Divisions represented in the Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Epe (I. B. I. L.E) acronym.
The promise of juicy’ appointments made to our political leaders cannot represent or take the place of Commissionership appointments and the Division should be given its proper share of Advisers especially those of cabinet status.
We call on the Governor to give the Division its fair share in other appointments including but not limited to Senior Special Assistants, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Parastatal.
It is the feeling of the Forum that the Governor and powers-that-be in Lagos and the AIl Progressives Congress have taken the loyalty of the Division for granted and with levity and do not value it to the extent that the efforts for past and present electoral victories do not Count In the snaring of the dividends of democracy.
Hence if our pleas are not considered, attachment to the political party is unrealistic and unproductive, therefore, the alternatives must be considered.
The Forum considers the state of infrastructure in the Division especially roads and the general marginalization of the Division in the scheme of things, coupled with this rather sinful omission, as an act of oppression. It is a deliberate attempt to irritate the law-abiding citizens of our Division as the acts are unjustifiable.
The Forum wishes to draw the attention of the Governor to the provisions of S.14(1) which provides that: ‘the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice’.
And S.14(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that: ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured by the provisions of this constitution and definitely, the thrust requires equitable participation.
The Forum enjoins the members and people to consider a son with other Divisions of the State for the ultimate emancipation of the indigenes from the shackles of oppression and intimidation by our kinsmen of southwest Nigeria.
The Forum urges leaders and members to make adequate preparation to actualize the ‘Ikorodu for Governor’ project in the next election.
Long Life Ikorodu Division
Long Life Lagos state.
A juse o!
