PUSH NEWS 24 INTERNATIONAL: May 1st, 2022
2023 : AMUWO ODOFIN FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, SEPERATING THE CONTENDERS FROM PRETENDERS – IT’S A STRAIGHT BATTLE BETWEEN LANRE SANUSI AND AYODELE ADEWALE
Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency made up of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and Oriade Local Development Council Area in Lagos State is no stranger to epic electoral contests. In fact, sensational and emotional-laden electoral contests had already happened in recent times both at the local government and general elections levels.
In the forthcoming 2023 general elections, a different type of an epic electoral battle is looming in the political horizon of the festival town. This time, it would no longer be a proverbial godfatherised political duel, but a well-informed political battle between and among political titans; all nurture a passionate desire to trounce each other across all divides.
This looming electoral battle in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency is dubbed by many local political analysts as the Battle of Political Titans and to be most keenly contested because, for the first time in the festival town rich electoral life, contestations for House of Reps will be waged by locally and internationally exposed political veterans which are all repositories of tremendous academic and professional qualifications, experiences, wealth, power and influence.
As the battle for the soul of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency continues to rage, observers have continued to watch with keen interest where and how events will play out especially as we move closely to the general elections. The House of Reps post which is currently occupied by the opposition PDP is going to throw up a competitive challenge as the incumbent is not likely to recontest after his two terms.
Amongst aspirants in the All Progressive Congress (APC) jostling for the green chambers the following names according to Push News 24 International findings came up tops amongst stakeholders in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, these includes Hon Gbenga Oyerinde – SSA to the Executive Governor of Lagos State on CBD, Comrade Ayodele Adewale Fmr. Exec Chairman Amuwo Local Government and APC Lagos State Organizing Secretary, Prince Lanre Sanusi (PLS) – Board Room Guru and Financial Expert, Hon Dipo Olorunrinu – Fmr, Lawmaker LAHA Constituency 1 (2015-19), Hon (Mrs) Ramotalai Akinola-Hassan – Fmr Lawmaker and Executive Chairman, Oriade LCDA, Kate Omolola Banjoko (KOB) Fmr Councillor Eko Akete, Engr. Odumuyiwa Olukunle Paul (O’Top) – Professionals in Politics Advocate, Hon Omoniyi Olulade Bethel – Councilor, Ward B Amuwo Odofin and Hon Olawale Ebietomiye – Trans-National Professional.
Preparatory to the House of Reps primaries of the APC, Push News 24 International research shows that two titans have found themselves tangled up in an impending slugfest which some pundits have already predicted could be a re-enactment of the 2019 APC primary tussle between the upland and lowland of Amuwo- Odofin Federal Constituency political space which saw the duo of Prince Lanre Sanusi (PLS) winning the APC primaries with majority votes from the riverine (Oriade) and parts of immediate Amuwo Odofin LGA while Comrade Ayodele Adewale showed more strength in FESTAC and environs. PLS won the 2019 primaries while Com Ayodele came a distant 4th after Hon Tunde Sanusi and Late Hon Risikat Adegeye.
Despite their popularity and State incumbency APC still lost the 2019 HoR election to the opposition PDP due to internal wranglings over the swapping of the winner of the primaries with a 3rd place aspirant and now, on that basis, a lot of emotions, permutations, and all sorts of possibilities have dominated political discourse among the stakeholders of the APC in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency. This is more so with the conviction in some quarters that the party’s ticket would come hopeful without similar mirage.
For the sake of clarity, the two major contenders in the Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency are Prince Lanre Sanusi (PLS) and Com. Ayodele Adewale. The duo is not about to go into any physical warfare. But as leaders and experienced grassroot politicians, both of them need to manage their supporters in a way that would not escalate their political differences but strengthen the peaceful sportsmanship as displayed in the 2019 primaries.
This is particularly imperative as loyalists on both sides are already embroiled in a quiet exchange of brickbats, name-calling, accusations, and counter-accusations. The trend, some concerned stakeholders warned, could snowball into spontaneous situation if the situation was not properly managed.
For Com Ayodele Adewale, the current Organizing Secretary of Lagos APC, the sky is the limit as his sterling performance as a former Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area stands him out having been tested and with requisite experience. Comrade Adewale had in over two decades built a network of friends, associates, and political allies across Lagos State. His environmentally friendly policies, infrastructural developments, community relations and loyalty to the leadership of the party in the State will count towards his advantage. The Unionist has always not failed to pride himself as an “Asiwaju’s Boy” a term which portrays him as one who was mentored by the National Leader of the APC. Adewale’s relationship with indigenes of other States and non-natives who are residents of Amuwo Odofin will endear him to many as a preferred choice in the primaries. The Comrade who was an active student leader and Unionist during his time also cuts-out as highly vocal and a confident public affairs analyst who has continually used the media to promulgate Nigeria’s democracy and civil movement on a national level. His political caucus in APC remains a formidable team in Amuwo Odofin politics. Ayodele’s downside has been that of his prolonged banter with his self-styled mentee who is the current Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin LGA and his love-lost relationship with some of the Apex leaders in Amuwo Odofin. Been a non-indigene may also count as a minus in his quest for the green chambers. Above all, Ayodele has earned his stripes as a valuable party man on the world stage.
Prince Lanre Sanusi who is popularly called PLS on the other hand came into the fray of Amuwo Odofin politics subtly and strategically which cumulated in his winning the 2019 HoR primaries. As a shrewd political strategist who has his eyes on the exalted seat PLS prides himself as an illustrious fine-gentle man who has both international and local experiences in Strategic Leadership, Tax Consultancy and Financial Advisory Services. With this effort as his 3rd attempt at the HoR , PLS is not known to carry any political baggage like other aspirants as he is seen by many as a fresh perspective to the governance question in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency. With a Doctorate Degree in-view PLS humility has endeared him as the favorite of the Apex leadership in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency and a hopeful of most of the party delegates as he is always known to run a rancor free campaign. As an Awori descendant and Lagos Prince by birth he tends to appeal to the indigenous people and traditional institutions such that his candidacy can be sold seamlessly to all. A detribalized man that he is, PLS has insisted that Lagos is for all and that all can live and enjoy the good of Lagos with mutual respect under a people-oriented government, which he is determined to make possible in Amuwo Odofin. He is an active financier of the party in Lagos and also an active member of the APC USA Chapter. PLS downsides maybe how to quickly and effectively build alliances with his non-supporters after winning the primaries.
Strangely, other aspirants tend to display certain strengths at various levels but the outcome of the APC primaries will tell the people’s choice; Regardless, a number of factors will surely come into play in the election of the standard-bearer of the party. Presumably, these may include such important considerations as a network of alliances, compromises, age, the health status of aspirants, governors’ influence, as well as party’s succession game plan, among others
In terms of alliances, none of the aspirants can undermine the strength, enormity, and formidability of the duo of PLS and Comrade Adewale.
We are all expectant, and we can feel the next level unfolding. Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency is on the threshold of greatness …..Let the contest begin!
Written by:
Prince Olamilekan Ojo Martins (MNIPR), Public Relations Practitioner, Perception Manager and Media Entrepreneur
