Ajeromi-Ifelodun constituency1 and 2 and Ajeromi Federal Constituency: Who takes over?

Ajeromi-Ifelodun constituency 1 has been fully represented at the Lagos State House of Assembly by Hon.Kolawole Taiwo since 1999 till date. He has chaired several committees in the house and now deputy speaker due to his political experience in Lagos State politics.Hon.Kolawole Taiwo is one politician, Ajeromi- Ifelodun likes so much that political contenders always step down for him in any given elections because of his political transformation of lives in both Ajeromi and Ifelodun local governments. Hon. Kolawole Taiwo is christened as “HKT”by political admirers with several awards and traditional titles to his credit. To some extent, Ajeromi-Ifelodun constituency 1 is one constituency that has received political attention since 1999 because; Hon.HKT has able to carry all those that supported him along without qualms. He is a friend to both local and national media without altercation. The 1999 amended Nigerian constitution allows a legislator to contest as many a time as far the people wanted HKT back for 2015, unless he steps down to take a higher position in Nigeria.

The political music is gradually changing in the test of time because Ajeromi-Ifelodun supporters felt it is time for HKT to step down for a young legislator to take Ajeromi-Ifelodun to the Promised Land. Political replacement of HKT is not difficult but if the former can take politics as nobody business and contest for the senate come 2015.In one of the Ifelodun rallies organised by APC stakeholders recently where HKT boasted that he is ready to face any contender naira to naira and dollar to dollar but the million dollar question is this, can HKT not comport himself as political father in the local government?HKT politics is gradually fading out of the system since everybody in Ifelodun wants to take his seat at all means. The thought that if HKT goes back to Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015, speakership would be conceded to him, nobody disputed that fact but HKT needs to retire from Ifelodun politics and remains a political father. He has used his position to empowered widows, orphans and others in recent past years.HKT was elected as a toddler in Ifelodun politics but today, he has gained various political experiences through various committees headed in the house at one time or the other. Some political characters in Ifelodun have indicated interest to take over HKT in 2015 like Dr.Abiola Ajibola,Babatunde Omojuwa,LMD,Adejonwo,Jamiu Alli Balogun,Hon.Dangote,Hon.Saheed,Alhaja Basiratu Mustapha,Lukeman Olumoh and others. Some of these Ifelodun contestants are not strong enough to wrestle power from HKT come 2015, except he steps down for them. Ajeromi-Ifelodun have many political groups like Elite forum, Justice forum,BACO,KAP,Mandate group,Ogunbajo group,Adigun group,Ladi group,Oluwa group,Adenekan group,Ajifat group,HKT group and others. These groups decide the rotational leadership of APC in Ajeromi-Ifelodun.Some local media within Ajeromi-Ifelodun have joined forces in promoting HKT, KAP and Kamal.Hon.Ajidagba, the present chairman of Ifelodun has done credible works than Hon Kamal who turned himself into lord of Ajeromi politics. For Hon. Bayewu Kamal to nurse the ambition to contest for the senate is a way to unseat Hon. Taiwo Adenekan, the present serving member of Ajeromi-Ifelodun federal constituency. The political calculation is that if he does not get the senate ticket from APC, then Hon.Adenekan can drop his second term bid in the Federal House of Representatives. Afterall, Adenekan is only representing himself not Ajeromi-Ifelodun people. Hon. Taiwo Adenekan has disappointed his supporters than remaining silence in the house since 2011 without executing any visible project. The fact remains that many Ajeromi-Ifelodun dwellers are fed of APC leadership in the local government because of political arrogance and intimidation has crept into the system. Charge and bail empowerments are more pronounced among Ajeromi-Ifelodun politicians except few ones that knew while they were elected in office. For some time now, Ifelodun LCDA has turned into theatre of war where different groups fight over leadership of the council.Hon.Fatai Ajidagba's position as a chairman for second term is incontestable. He has proved to Ifelodun politicians that a Kwara man can do better in politics than a Lagosian.

Again, Ajeromi-Ifelodun constituency 2, Hon Ladi Balogun is the present serving member of the Lagos State House of Assembly as a political neophyte of Lagos State politics. As a trained economist who formerly worked in the oil and gas sector before venturing into murky waters of Lagos State politics, believes, he can take Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2 to the next level if given a second tenure come 2015.Hon.Ladi Balogun has not done badly since he was elected to represent Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2.

Now that Hon. Paul Kalejaiye has indicated interest to contest for the House of Representatives claiming to be the anointed servant of the people from Ajeromi-Ifelodun, well, Hon.Taiwo Adenekan has poorly performed in terms of constituency projects and others.APC leadership in Lagos State is no longer operating the way ACN was, because of the fear of the opposition party (PDP).Politics in Ajeromi-Ifelodun has equally changed hands. It would be difficult for Hon.Kamal Bayewu to clinch victory of the Badagry division if political offenders are not pleaded before 2015.Hon.Rabiu Oluwa, the political leader of Badagry division and Lagos State Senatorial West leader decides who takes the seat of power of the local government. Some argued that Hon.Kamal Bayewu is very powerful in Lagos State because he connects his political ambition directly with Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, but that political calculations will fail in 2015.The electorates are interested in voting for credible individuals not party now in Lagos State. The like of Hon.Ayoola Fatai, Col. Favour and others are capable politicians that can make the voters proud in 2015 if elected. The rumour making rounds that Hon.Kamal Bayewu intended to nominate his own political godson as the next Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government chairman and the vice chairman. No doubts about Kamal as one of the present richest Ajeromi-Ifelodun politician but the masses are fed of arrogant leaders in the community.PDP in Ajeromi-Ifelodun is ready to march vote to vote and dollar to dollar in 2015 unlike in 2011 when the then ACN used all rigging tactics to win elections. Only time will tell if those parading themselves as Ajeromi-Ifelodun leaders and elders would rig their way out in 2015.

By Godday Odidi Public Affairs Analyst 08058124798 Lagos

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Articles by Godday Odidi