The cloud over Agege Local Government seems dark ahead of the July 12th Lagos State Local Government Elections. This is with the outcry over the imposition of Abdulganiyu Obasa by his father Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as the sole candidate in the forthcoming party primaries ahead of the polls.
Reactions had trailed the development with many devastated at the decision of the newly returned Lagos Speaker who many in the politically vibrant community regard as the leader of the All Progressives Congress in the area and wields so much powers in the state too. With observers decrying the dominance of godfatherism in the scheme of things, many fear a likely crack in the wall as the primaries approach.
Trouble started when the announcement filtered through the community especially in the peak of mobilizations, alignments, re-alignments and all preliminary levels of grassroots politicking .The onerous task of raising about N5.5m for the form had also plaguing the aspirants.
A visit to the Moshalashi Alhaja area of Agege showed clustered gatherings of political enthusiasts discussing the unfolding scenario. A middle aged man who spoke on condition of anonymity said “Our mumu don do. Shey na Obasa dey feed me? If na the last war we go fight to end this godfatherism rubbish we go fight am. My problem is that hunger is not allowing people to reason well.
“I be APC member and a proud one but i go leave this party if this happens. Who knows Ganiyu? What does he know about Agege APC?, he queried while angrily removing his orange cap and hitting hard on his thigh.
One notable voice in Agege who has lamented the development is Hon. Sola Osolana, a popular philanthropist and politician in the area. Taking to his official Facebook page in series of posts, he wrote.” Your Children are joining Agege paramole, Neighborhood watch, you are still struggling to pay rent, beg for money for naming and school fees after years of supporting them to rule over you, now they bring their son to come and rule over you while still ruling and you are rejoicing. What is the definition of madness? Insanity? Even a slave has sense. #takeagegeback#.”
In another post while lamenting the long-lasting implication of this decision on Agege’s development, Osolana posted “A dog that will be lost will not hear the warning of the hunter. This was how the Omo Isale project started in 2016, more than 8 years later Agege’s development is the worst for it and Omo isale’s life developed more than the local government and its people. “
‘History and posterity will judge everyone’s part. Some women in Agege endorsed emperor son while they begged for their own children to get a N50k monthly salaried job from the emperor”.
Osolana, a serial entrepreneur speaking further in an exclusive chat with Veegil Media said posterity is the reason people like him still come out to vie for political offices especially after being disenfranchised severally by godfatherism and corrupt systems.
” I wont be part of that generation that will be judged tomorrow as having failed Agege. One reason why after so many daily light robberies of my mandate I can still nurse an ambition for Agege Chairmanship.
“I have series of businesses that have suffered while I chase politics. Everyone conversant with Agege politics know I have stayed long in the game despite all that have been done to me. This particular one by the Speaker is hitting hard on every effort some hardworking politicians have put especially those that worked for the victory of President Tinubu at the polls. How can he decide to frustrate us like this?” Osolana queried while pushing back his chair in his office.
Many have joined this opinion on the highhandedness of politicians and their godfatherism decisions without paying critical attention to experience as a yardstick to better understanding the game of attracting dividends of democracy and firm grasp of grassroot challenges. While this dust rises higher, many are keeping fingers crossed at the outcome as backend meetings hold as the days draw closer to the polls.
