Why I withdrew from Isolo chairmanship race – Jubril
Why I withdrew from Isolo chairmanship race – Jubril
By Damilola Kushimo
The former Executive Secretary of Isolo LCDA, Hon. Segun Jubril has explained that he withdrew from the chairmanship race to increase the chances of indigenes to clinch the position.
Jubril, a former Secretary to the Local Government (SLG), was one of the seven indigenous aspirants hoping to fly the flag of the indigenes in the coming local council election.
In a chat with ECHONEWS, Jubril explained that he withdrew from the race in order to afford his fellow kinsmen the opportunity.
The other aspirants contesting under the indigenes’ platform are Hon. Toheeb Aregbe; the former member of Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Akeem Muniru; former vice chairman of Isolo LCDA, Hon. Soji Balogun, Hon. Agboola Agbabiaka and the former councillor representing Akinbaiye Ward, Hon. Shakiru Sadiq.
Reacting to rumour that he withdrew from the race due to his declining popularity the former SLG clarified that he stepped down in order to give his brothers chances, explaining that the indigenes have a well-coordinated struggle this time around to attain the lofty seat.
Jubril declared his support for whoever becomes the official flag bearer of the indigenes as he appealed to the party to consider the indigene this time around for the post.
His words: “Yes, it is true; I’ve stepped down from the race. I don’t want a situation whereby I will do more than what is expected. This is my town and I know what my town needs. I can’t say that my town does not need me but what I can offer the town, what I can offer Isolo as an indigene. The people that are contesting, we are all one. Nobody can say I should and should not contest. I do not own myself, God owns me. I’ve been on this thing for a long but God’s time is the best. I was born and bred in Isolo here and I know what is going on politically. I am not saying that I’m not presentable but God’s time is the best.
“I’m in support of whoever becomes the official flag bearer. I’ve contested not once, twice or thrice. I have served as the SLG of the local government. I have been the Executive Secretary so I’m qualified for the post. I’m someone that places God first, when God says I should do something I’ll do it and nobody can stop me. It can take time but I know that my time will come.”
Reacting to negative rumours that he lacked the clout to run for the office, Jubril countered his critics: “People can say many things that they like. If they say I don’t have the wings, popularity or weight and that was why I stepped down, are they God? Do they even ask me what prompted me to withdraw from the race before concluding? I’ve heard many things about it but silence is the best answer for the fools. Why is it much of their concern? Are they God? Are they the one that asked me to withdraw? Nobody asked me to withdraw; I voluntarily withdrew for my people. I don’t know what God has for me tomorrow.
“We’ve seen the person that followed an aspirant to Asiwaju to plead on his behalf for chairmanship and Asiwaju asked the person if he could do it and he got his blessing ahead of the aspirant. The table turned. The person did not know that he could be the chairman of a local government. There is nothing God cannot do. Being in politics, is it proper to be running ourselves down? Is it proper to be besmirching one another’s image? All because you want to climb up? I put it to you that politically, I’m still active and I can contest for any position at any time.”
While canvassing for the indigenes’ interest, Jubril warned that the struggle should not be taken to the extreme as he said the party’s decision is supreme and should be upheld.
He, therefore, appealed to the leadership of the party to consider the indigenes for the position.
“And if they say ‘no’ we do not have other option, we will wait for God’s time but I hope it is now. If the party says it won’t consider us yet, that is not the end for the indigenes. Maybe they can consider us for a bigger position – commissioner or so. But when God says it is the time for the indigenes nobody can go against it,” he said.
