By Francis adewumi
A chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming Local Government election in Irepodun Ifelodun local government, Hon Gbenga Ogunleye has claimed that his father’s current position as the vice chairman of same position does not affect his aspiration to become the chairman of the council.
Hon Ogunleye who made the claimed why responding to questions by journalists recently said he had laboured alot for the party
He claimed that his father being the current vice chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun local government should not have negative impact on his ambition to become an elective chairman of the council.
According to him, gone are those days were politics are calculated towards that dimension.
In his words “You know this word called politics is a complex word. One would not be surprise of such statement coming from the people. In everything one does, his/her exposure would always reflect . I will chose my reply from the experience of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We can remember vividly that those he made were his antagonist before the primary, thank God they didn’t say I’m a thief”he explained.
He echoed that, in the present Nigeria’s politics, relative being in position doesn’t affect other person aspiration.
“In Nigeria Politics of today, ‘ Erin tin fon pelu Omo re’ .for example President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Nigeria President today, can any sane person say Seyi did not merit any position with his impact and sacrifices before, during and after the presidential election? We are all aware that Seyi Tinubu is the brain behind the nomination of many young Ministerial nominees submitted to the NASS,”he recounted.
“Also Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s son is his SA, Governor El-Rufai has his son presently in House of Rep , Governor Adeleke has three of his Family members as commissioner in Osun , Former Governor James Ibori of Delta has his Daughter presently in House and coming to Ekiti state , H.E Late Chief Bisi Egbeyemi secured his daughter house of assembly ticket before he passed on , Baba General Adeyinka Adebayo was Southwest governor and his son H.E Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo was the first executive Governor of Ekiti in the year 1999. The Minister nominees of Ekiti . Mr Dele Alake has his son nominated as commissioner in Lagos state .”he added.
Hon Ogunleye said those who peddling that, are jittery of his coming to the race.
Adding that his father deserve more of this position holding because he had paid the price for it in APC.
“My father deserve it has he not paid the price for APC? He was among those who fought tooth and nail during rig and roast in 2006-2007 , he was among those who went to Ido/Osi Local Government rerun election that made H.E Dr John Kayode Fayemi governor in 2007. He wasn’t doing that alone. I was also doing mine. I was attacked killed by some political thugs during rig and roast protest at Fajuyi Park” he lamented.
“Let me categorically tell you this, in politics “Erin nfon, omo re a tun nfon” so far the both have the credibility” he said.
He queried that, those people accusing him, why don’t they reflect on his impact in the party since 2003 and why are they not talking of competency.
“why are they not talking about my relationship with people in my ward, why are they not talking about the assistance rendered to less privileged in my ward and beyond when such need arises” he explained.