By Abolaji Adebayo
Though it is still about one and half years to the end of the current administration, the race for the chairmanship in Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has started with all seriousness as two major contenders seem to have already set on the track to take the baton in 2021.
With all indications within the council and around Isolo community, other candidates may emerge from different caucuses with the support of their leaders and political god fathers.
Although six camps can be identified within the All Progressives Congress (APC), three are already preparing to field candidates: the Crusaders, Mandate -Kwam 1 and Mandate-Shame. The other camps, Mandate-Johnson, Afenifere Unity Fórum and Justice Forum are yet to unveil their moves.
But presently, the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Kolawole Olojede and the Vice Chairman, Hon. Bayo Olasoju are the major contenders that are being focused by majority of the people. However, political analysts are of the view that other candidates would come to fore in the course of time.
Olojede belongs to Hon. Shammeh’s camp and may be his favourite candidate. This is evident based on a statement made in November last year by the council chairman when he advised the stakeholders and people of Ilasamaja area of Isolo to close ranks and look for someone with vast experience within the current administration to be the next council chairman.
Shammeh had said that he was not in the position to tell or choose the next chairman, saying only God knows the best person to occupy the seat.
Initially, there were strong rumours at various corners of the council area that Shammeh was preparing for a third term in office.
The council chairman has frantically declared that it was a mere rumour, saying he never had such ambition contrary to speculations making the round.
The council boss, while reacting to rumours, appealed to the rumour mongers not to drag him into a third term agenda, saying it is a distraction to his mission of impacting positively on the people as well as his covenant with the people of Isolo.
He said: “For our modest vision and what we set out to achieve in 2019, that would put a lie to the popular notion that politicians are only in government to amass public funds…Those who want to contest after me are free to do so. If you must fight anyone, fight your opponent and leave me out of it. For chairmanship in 2021, I am not contesting. When I wanted to contest, I contested and glory be to Allah, I won against all expectations. If you see me canvassing for votes, it would be at a higher elective position.
The council chairman appealed to contestants to eschew violence and ensure that the peace in the local government is maintained.
“Let there be no tension in the council. Whoever wants to contest should do it outside the council because the council is not a battleground. Nobody should distract us because we are preoccupied with recording more developmental strides.”
With his denial of the rumoured third term agenda, there is speculation in the council area that the council boss has strong interest in the candidature of the SLG and may soon declare his support for him.
It is also believed that the SLG may ride on the back of the council chairman to garner support from the Senator representing Lagos West, Hon. Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) having served as the campaign coordinator of the senator in Oshodi-Isolo in 2015 and 2019.
Some political stakeholders and analysts also believe that Shammeh’s camp may equally pitch the tent with the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa to seek his support for his candidate.
For the candidature of the Vice Chairman, ECHONEWS reliably gathered that Bayo Olasoju has
the muscle of the Fuji music king, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe K1 De Ultimate.
Olasoju was the former manager of the Fuji music king who has been playing a significant role in the politics of the Lagos State under the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Although he eventually got elected as the Vice Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Bayo Olasoju, the former manager of the King of Fuji music, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe aka K1 De Ultimate would have, perhaps been the Executive Chairman of the Council if K1 had succeeded in his frantic bid to make him the number one citizen of the Council.
A reliable source revealed that before the last Local Government elections, K1 had lobbied the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in order to seek his support for Olasoju to become the Chairman of Isolo LCDA.
However, after much political horse-trading, and nocturnal meetings, K1’s effort was crowned with a Vice Chairmanship seat for Olasoju, while Shamsudeen Olaleye clinched the Executive Chairmanship of the Council.
It is also worthy of note that Shammeh is one of the 18 Chairmen Tinubu gave automatic ticket for second term in office and this might have further scuttled K1’s moves.
For those who do not know, K1’s Okota house – ‘Castle of Peace’ is located within the Isolo LCDA. The undisputed King of Fuji is not only a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC); he is also the official musician of the party.
It is not clear yet whether Otunba Henry Oladele Ajomale would also present a different candidate to join the 2021 Isolo LCDA chairmanship race; keen political analysts said he is joining hands with K1 to rally support for Olasoju.
Another great influential player in the politics of Isolo LCDA is the Member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson who may also have interest in the 2021 chairmanship game.
Although he is silent about the game going on in Isolo politics, political analysts have strong belief that Rep Johnson may shock the community with his own yet-to-be-known candidate who may be an indigene.
Grapevine sources speculate that two persons aware of Hon. Johnson’s influence- former House of Representatives member Muniru Akeem and former Vice chairman of Isolo LCDA, Alhaji Mojeeb Adams may seek his support to clinch the ticket.
ECHONEWS and other political spectators and analysts will keep watching as events unfold towards the 2021 local government elections in and around Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area.
