“Godfatherism Has Really Killed Alot Of Our Resources And Chances Of Improving The Country”…… Olayiwola

Ibrahim Olayiwola Olalekan ,is a grassroot politician who has put in over a decade in active participation within the Ikotun/ Igando Ward A, E1 Constituency under Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. Olayiwolawho is a candidate of the People’s Democracy Party PDP  , vying for the position of a councillor in Ikotun / Igando LCDA.The young and dynamic politician spoke with DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA over the weekend ,even as he  shedlights on the forthcoming elections in the state, activities within the communities, failed infrastructure and other sundry issues…

 

 

 

EXCERPTS

 

 

 

 

Tell us how you emerge to contest the poll under PDP?

 

 

 

 

I have been with the people’s Democratic Party for the past ten years for now and have also contributed immensely to the party.In 2015, 2017 respectively. I also took part in the election as a party agent;  as one of those attributes that makes me a bonafide candidate due to my contributions to the party.After contesting as a candidate in 2017 alongside  other candidates in my ward, E1, Ikotun , I was ask to step down for the last man standing. having listened to party leaders that gave me more advice about the candidate, that she’s been a candidate under this dispensation, as someone who has been contributing at large too. So I had my primaries done at Alani Ige Square Igando Lagos state in 31st May 2021 with the party leaders to vote for their prospective candidate as the voice of the people who can deliver in the councillor and chairmanship election coming July 31st 2021.

 

 

You talked passionately about contributing immensely to the party. Kindly share some of those contributions and experiences with us?

 

 

Personally am an activist who loves the interest of the people. With that alone, it really gives me an idea and edge bringing down useful information from the state level down to the grassroots such as empowerment of the people, how they can benefit from it. Also I take my time to visit some of our party members   in general hospitals and as well as those who are not our party members;  thus using my connection to assist those who are held up in the hospital for not meeting up with their medical bills and make them to regain freedom from hospital; also to the community level as well while they have problems with their electricity as well as unlawful arrest of people by the Nigeria Police Force and i do anything within my reach  to secure their bail. So these are some of things I have been doing in my own little way to service humanity in my community.

 

 

 

Are you optimistic of victory considering the fact that the state has come under the leadership of APC?

 

Yes, am optimistic about  winning and victory is certain considering the fact that Lagos is an All Progressive Congress Party state. I believe I will win despite under the leadership of APC in the state because the situation at hand involving the economy instability of the country and  state, unemployment, crisis and most expecially the ENDSAR saga and others happening in the state is a significant sign of victory  for me and the party.

 

 

How do you intend to bring development to this community?

 

 

I pray to God Almighty to crown my efforts and make me the sole  winning candidate. I intend to bring development to the community at the local government level by making sure that I table all the matter of the community and also stand firm to make sure that the voice of my people is heard.Also by bringing the empowerment that is necessary to the communities, give adequate information in time that can benefit the residents of the communities and stand firm to defend any of the government project within the communities that should be done appropriately.

 

 

How can you describe yourself and tell us about your humble beginning?

 

 

My name still remain Hon Olayiwola Ibrahim Olalekan a.k.a Mr. White, I am a good citizen of this country and the state, i went to Latos Private School, had my junior secondary school in Igando Public School and furtherly went to Ogunlade College to complete my senior secondary school and finally studied communication technology in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN),  am still going for more learning. I worked as a reporter and also an activist, love to listen to people and solve problems . With God measures; humbleness made me till date and am still putting more of my best and listen to corrections when called to order.

 

 

Are you worried about the defection of some state governors to APC and how it will affect your chances of winning the councillor polls this coming weeks?

Am not worried about the defection of some governors to APC and cannot affect my chances of winnng the councilorship polls because this is a grassroot  election , moreso the APC themselves for now are having serious internal issues among themselves. So it’s an avenue for me to have my assignment done well to attain the desired victory for me . I strongly believe in  winning the election in the coming weeks.

 

 

Give us some of the critical challenges in your communities that you would love to fix and how do you intend to go about it when elected to serve?

 

 

The major problems in my communities and ward is lack of power in the aspect of electricity and security so I have drafted aside a measure at making sure that residents get prepaid meters circulated round  to put a stop to crazy billing and also work in hand with the communities most especially the youth to co opt them to be part of the security system with the security agencies by giving first hand information to help them. And also make sure that those opportunities that are coming from the top gets to the grassroots.

 

 

 

 

 

What should we expect on the day of elections?

 

My paramount expectation on the date of the election is winning with ease and peace and also advice that if any candidate emerge from  any other parties should be given the mandate to  assume because I see politics not as a do or die affair but to serve people with myth and dignity to the public. Information had also been circulating around that all mean of rigging the election might take place with some people voting with fake voters card but all that also depend on the LASIEC officials to diligently do their work with loyalty and honesty.

 

 

 

What is your view about political godfather?

 

My view about political god fatherism is that the old leaders should give chances for the youths to show their talents and what they have in their skull as well as giving them opportunity to play more vital roles in the political arm of the government to allow new innovations , idea and also give avenue  to build more tactical and technological advancement to the country , meanwhile god father has really killed a lot of our resources and chances of improving the country because its hinder lot of necessary things in his be done by not giving the right person the chances to show case his power.

 

“The way the market women are been treated as well by the local government authorities  in Ikotun is not too good “….

 

 

So who is your political mentor or better still godfather?

 

I have a mentor and not a political godfather. Let me use this medium to say that Hon. Lukman Akindele is a mentor any time. He has really shown a good example by leading the youths in the right way and also given them what is due to individuals at the right time and also, he cares for the interest of the masses. Even  the old together with the less privilege he has been committed to humanity.

 

 

Are you satisfied with the level of development in your community?

Am sincerely not satisfied with the development in Ikotun because majority of the projects are left undone just like the Abaranje road where the current chairman comes from,that is Mrs Morenike Williams was not tied for about two terms she is running until the intervention of the state governor and other roads, also the way the market women are been treated as well  in Ikotun is not too good ,lack of providing adequate good road network system for the Ikotun market is unhealthy for the traders, hence they collect local government levies and also to the shops owners in various streets extorting them of levies without providing what is needed e.g tenement rate, radio and tv levies, annual levies. An adages says anything that is what having is worth working for.

 

Your final words to the masses?

Conclusively I urge all residents in the state to go out in masses and vote for the right choice and voice of the people. If we all fail to vote the right choice it’s means we are giving opportunities to those who would embezzles the funds and government resources needed for the betterment of masses and the state.