MOYO OGUNLEWE DECLARES INTENTION TO VIE FOR KOSOFE CHAIRMANSHIP SEAT

 

 

*Says It Is Not A Do Or Die Affair

 

By: Olusegun Apena

Ahead of Local Government APC chairmanship Primary election, Barrister Moyosore Ogunlewe, the son of former minister of works and Housing Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, has formally declared his intention to vie for the seat of Kosofe Local Government chairmanship.

 

Barrister Ogunlewe made his declaration yesterday at the secretariat of Kosofe Local Government Area All Progressives Congress along Ojota/Ogudu road before the LGA caretaker committee of the party.

 

And while making his intention known to contest for Kosofe local government chairmanship seat under the banner of APC, he averred that his desire to contribute his quota to the development of the local government was the main reason behind his decision to vie for the post.

 

He stated that having contested twice for the post of Lagos state House of Assembly Kosofe constituency 1, he is closer to the grassroots and therefore in a better position to Know what the people actually want.

 

He added that if he eventually became the chairman of the Local Government, he would focus his attention on three key areas: Security, Youth development and poverty alleviation.

 

While lamenting the sordid state of insecurity in the local government area, most especially in Oworoshoki, he promised to facilitate a fire brigade station in the local government stressing that Kosofe deserves a fire station going by the spate of fire outbreak in the area in recent time.

 

Barrister Ogunlewe who twice contested for Lagos State House of Assembly in Kosofe Constituency 1, however, stated that he would abide by the decision of the party if he was not endorsed to fly the flag of the party in the forthcoming local government elections, stressing that his participation is not a do or die affair.

 

He said he has the utmost respect for other chairmanship aspirants such as Alhaji Musiliu Aigoro and Prince Fatai Gbadebo, etc. and that he would work cordially with whoever emerges as a candidate among them.

 His words: "I am aware of the enormity of the task, duties and responsibilities of the Office of the Local Government Area Council Chairman. I am also aware of the desire of our people to have or install a real people’s government at the Local Government Area level or the grassroots. 

"One thing is; you have to understand the terrain of your aspiration before you start your campaign. So I decided to run for the Chairmanship position of Kosofe Local Government. But for me it is not a do or die affair.

"Having said that, I respect every candidate that aspires for the chairmanship position. Don’t let us forget that chairmanship position is the third arm and just like every other arm of government, it is how the leadership council is that will determine the selection.

 "In the Local Government I will focus my attention on Security, Youth empowerment and poverty alleviation.

 "The way security is going in this local government if we don’t take time you and I will not be able to live in this community. The job of the local government is to compliment the landlords of the community. Because most of the issues that happen in the communities lie within us, these are not coming from outsiders. So security remains a very critical challenge in our communities.  

"Last week there was a serious fire outbreak in Mende Maryland. So we need a working fire Service in the local government. It is quite outrageous that we had to call the aid of the State government for rescue amidst the outbreak. So we urgently need a Fire Service station in Kosofe.

Like I said earlier, it is not a do or die affair but I am very close to the grassroots. And don’t forget, 2023 election is around the corner, we must vote people who are close to the grassroots.

"My campaign will start immediately, I believe I have a chance. But I will abide with the decision of the party. The party is supreme and whoever emerges as the candidate for our great political party, I will throw my weight behind him.

"Let me also say this; if I emerge as candidate for this great political party, I will pull everybody together and move the party forward.

Responding, Kosofe Local Government Area APC LGA caretaker committee chairman, Alhaji Kehinde Bello praised Barrister Ogunlewe for coming before the LGA APC executives to make his declaration while at the same time urging him to fulfil his electoral promises if becomes the chairman.