Awori monarchs seek more inclusion of indigenes
Assembly may receive another list of nominees
Gboyega Akinsanmi
The
list of 25 cabinet nominees, which Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide
Sanwo-Olu sent to the State House of Assembly about three weeks, has
stoked concern in the rank of Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) and
Mandate Movement, two powerful groups that secured Sanwo-Olu’s
governorship nomination.The Council of Obas and Chief in
Aworiland has equally called on the governor to more indigenes of the
Awori descent in the second list of cabinet nominees, which it said,
would be forwarded to the legislative arm for screening.Multiple
sources in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
privately spoke about the disappointment the cabinet list had generated
among the supporters of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat at the weekend.While
the GAC is the highest advisory political organ in Lagos APC, the
Mandate Movement is a powerful political machine loyal to the National
Leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu and founded by former Osun State
Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.In a statement by his Deputy Chief
Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile on July 14, Sanwo-Olu had
transmitted a list of 25 cabinet nominees to the legislative arm. The
list comprised the names of 17 male and eight female nominees.The
governor had equally noted that the current list “is first batch,”
disclosing that consultation was going on with regard “to the complete
number of the cabinet members. The new cabinet would be unique, because
of its diversity.”However, a party source told THISDAY that both
GAC and Mandate were not really happy with the cabinet list because
their candidates “are not really included,” each of which had been
lobbying Tinubu for more inclusion.Specifically, the source
claimed that different leaders of the GAC nominated about 200 candidates
for the State Executive Council while Mandate compiled its own list of
cabinet nominees and submitted it to the APC national leader.The
source added that almost all the candidates nominated by the Mandate
Movement, with the exception of former Commissioner for Wealth Creation,
Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, were not accommodated in the cabinet.He
claimed that most Mandate leaders, especially a lawmaker representing
Lagos East, Senator Adebayo Oshinowo; his Lagos West counterpart,
Senator Olamilekan Solomon and Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo, among others.Another
source claimed that Akinbile-Yusuf “is the Mandate nominee from
Alimosho. But other candidates the Mandate nominated from other local
government areas were not included in the cabinet list. That is why its
leaders are not happy.”The source, also, added that Oshinowo
“has already had enough because he singlehandedly nominated the
candidate for Kosofe Federal Constituency. Aside, he nominated
candidates for two state constituencies in Kosofe.”Despite
disquiet the cabinet list has generated,a 16-man committee, which the
Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa set up to screen the
nominees, though the committee may not be able to submit its report
until the assembly resumes on August 19.However, THISDAY learnt
that the governor might transmit the second cabinet list to the
legislative arm immediately they resume on August 19. While some claimed
the second batch would only comprise, others said the list would be
expanded to accommodate political interests statewide.On this
account, Ojomu of Ajiranland, Oba Adetunji Akinloye alleged
marginalisation of Aworis across the state at a news conference he
addressed at the secretariat of the Awori Obas within the Igando-Ikotun
LCDA Secretariat complex.Akinloye noted that Awori indigenes
were not accorded the rightful position in the governance of Lagos
State, adding that only one or two Awori indigenes made the list earlier
transmitted to the state assembly.The monarch said: “We want to
use this medium to unequivocally remind Lagos State Government that
Aworis are not happy with the way we are being marginalized in the state
despite our population and also for the fact that we are the original
settlers in the state.”He, however, thanked the APC leader for
providing direction for the party nationwide, emphasising that right
from inception, especially during elections, Awori indigenes had shown
support for the ruling party in the state.Akinloye explained
participation in politics “is anchored on the desire to use it as a
route to be appointed and elected to serve the people and bring
development to them. As we know, we have many Awori indigenes who are
professionals, politicians and technocrats.“We also have those
who worked tirelessly during the electioneering campaign for the success
of the party in Lagos State. We are hereby looking forward to see the
appointment of another set of Awori indigenes who are young, vibrant and
qualified, we are more than what we are getting.”Akinloye
maintained that the entire Aworis “are now waiting and hoping that
justice will be done in the second batch of the nominees that will be
forwarded to the Lagos State House of Assembly very soon.”
Source:- Thisdaylive
{Naijafinix.com}
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