By Edith Igbokwe and Olushola Okewole
Confirming the bookmakers, elections into the community development associations last week featured the return of old guards across board but the feat failed to work at the Community Development Committee elections as new helmsmen took over.
Echonews had exclusively reported that the CDC chairmen seeking a second term would fail to clinch the ticket based on checks carried out among the bookmakers.
In Isolo, the scenario played out in favour of the former secretary of the CDC, Mr. Segun Olatunde who succeeded his chairman, Alhaji Fatai Abisiga.
In Oshodi LGA, Alhaji Memude Adisa Olawoyin emerged the new chairman of the CDC while Ejigbo CDC chairman will emerge at the polls on Monday.
Sources said the stage for the change of baton in Isolo was set with the moves of powerful elements loyal to the current administration who argued that the outgoing chairman had spent more than seven years in office and should allow his secretary who had understudied him take over.
Abisiga, who believed that the campaign was influenced by the administration told Echonews that he decided to sue for peace rather than contest to ensure harmony in the local government.
Speaking on the election, the council chairman, Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye commended members for their public-spiritedness, noting that it takes public-spirited individual to take interest in community development without getting paid for it.
The council boss congratulated all the elected officers of the various CDAs and the CDC and urged them to develop their communities.
He promised to deliver all the certificates to all the CDAs on Tuesday at the points close to their communities, saying they would not need to go to the council for the certificates.
Other elected CDC executive members include Alhaji Rahman (1st Vice Chairman), Alhaji Babatunde Adewale (2nd Vice Chairman), Samson Fatoye (Secretary), Hon Mukaila Atilola (Asst. Secretary), Saheed Olanrewaju (Treasurer), Mr Adekambi (Social Secretary), Elder Ogunlolu (Treasurer), Hon Mukaila Atilola (Auditor) and Afusat Oliyide (Welfare Officer).
Also on board are Elder Falujo (Auditor), Alhaji Sogunle (PRO), Alhaji Fatai Abisiga (Ex-officio 1), Mrs. Olanihun (Ex-officio 2), Debo Ogunbowale (Ex-officio 3), Elder Oguntoyinbo (Ex-officio 4), Doye Ogundipe (Ex-officio 5) and Saka Akinwande (Ex-officio 6).
Elections into the executive posts of the Community Development Association (CDA) have been concluded in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area with most of the chairmen returned for the second term in office while the CDC election for the chairmanship produced Olawoyin.
However, disagreement over zoning of offices led to the indefinite postponement of the elections into other offices.
The agreement was to have the next CDC chairman from Shogunle ward; the secretary from Mafoluku and Oshodi, treasurer.
ECHONEWS reliably gathered that Shogunle Central CDA had earlier agreed that the chairman of Maboju CDA, Alhaji Memudu Adisa Olawoyin, should represent them at the next CDC level since the slot has been agreed to go to Shogunle ward. Both CDAs are in Shogunle ward.
The election in most of the CDAs was based on consensus of leaders in the community who endorsed those to be elected as executive members to lead them in the associations.
With the arrangement, the former chairmen of Isokan and OOSAA CDAs, Mr. Kazeem Fawole and Mr. Olusegun Oduwaiye were returned in Afariogun /Oshodi ward unopposed as the communities unanimously supported their continuity in office.
Only three executive members were replaced in Isokan CDA as those who were formerly occupying the posts have relocated from the community as gathered by ECHONEWS.
In Fabukade CDA, Shogunle, Chief Tunde Tobosun was re-elected for second term with other former executive members with the exception of the assistant secretary who is away in London and Mr. Adeyemi who has grown older.
Maboju CDA Chairman in Shogunle, Alhaji Memudu Olawoyin was equally returned to the chairmanship position unopposed with other executive members except those who have relocated and were replaced with new persons.
In Mafoluku, Ariyori/Ijaiye CDA, Alhaji Rasaq Mabinuori retained the chairmanship position of the association.
However, the chairman of Aduke Thomas CDA, Engr. Joy Omiyale was the only candidate who voluntarily abstained from contesting for the second term.
He told ECHONEWS that he had other challenging assignments. Consequently, a new person, Ismailia Yusuf took over.
In Isolo LCDA, where Adesegun Olatunde emerged the new CDC chairman, ECHONEWS gathered that the election in most of the CDAs was also based on consensus as most former chairmen and other executive members were returned unopposed.
In Ejigbo LCDA, election into CDAs have been concluded in most constituencies in the same pattern but the CDC polls will differ in pattern and outcome, if checks by ECHONEWS are true.
Compared to Oshodi with 60 CDAs and Isolo with 45 CDAS, Ejigbo has 110 CDAs thus requiring more time to ensure the reconciliation and consensus needed for harmonious polls.