Don’t Turn Ife-Olukotun Into Theatre of Political War- Isiaq Ajibola warns politicians

A Community leader in Ife-Olukotun and an astute politician, Alhaji Isiaq Ajibola has warned against using the name of the community to win cheap political blackmail.

Ajibola in a statement issued on Monday declared that the community cannot be a theatre of political war between the Governor and the Senator for any reason whatsoever under any circumstances.

Ajibola who was reacting to a statement issued by Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogis West, on the purported arrest of some individuals at Ife Olukotun, Yagba-East Local Government Area on Saturday, June 10, 2017, denied any rift or arrest of anybody.

The statement, Ife- Olukotun, was copiously mentioned and described as a dark spot of political upheaval between officials that were to carry out the job and some party loyalists of senator Dino.

The release specifically referred to the arrest of the Chairman of Ward one Mr. Mosunmola Shittu and the husband of the APC women leader of the West senatorial district, Mr. Raphael Ibiteye.

“With benefit of hindsight, I wish to express the displeasure of majority of our people on the use of the name of our town for cheap political propaganda.

“The fact of the matter was that the said  Chairperson of  ward one and the Secretary of Yagba-East  Local government, Hon. Lekan Balogun  who both hail from the same  ward one had a minor disagreement on  the method to be used in the sensitization of the people towards the recall exercise.

“This led to altercations between both of them but that was immediately resolved by community leaders within a short time in the presence of policemen at the station, both then returned to their homes.

“Pertinent to note that this happened without any detention or drama whatsoever. Right now, the Chairperson of the ward and the Secretary of the local government are united in peace and relating well with each other.

“It is disheartening  therefore, to note that the name of our beloved town,  Ife- Olukotun, is  being associated with a major conflict in this regard.

“While some people don’t see the logic in the recall of Senator Dino at this time because of other pressing issues that they feel needs government attention, some believe that  since the process has started, it is important for party loyalists to allow it run its course without skirmishes. Who knows, the national politics may have something to learn from it.

“The simple truth is that Ife- Olukotun is grateful to Governor Yahaya Bello and his administration for all the projects that he has earmarked for the town within his short tenure. This is not to mention his having our daughter, Mrs Folashade Ayoade as Secretary to his Government. Recently, the entire  Ife -Olukotun traditional Council paid the Governor a courtesy visit to express our appreciation.

“We acknowledge that on his part too, Senator Dino recently embarked on some constituency  projects in the  community.

“Nevertheless, our community can not be a theatre of political war between the Governor and the Senator for any reason whatsoever.

“I make bold to say that the dominant political party in Ife Olukotun today is the APC. It is also  incontrovertible that the collective support and prayers  of the community is  for the  administration of Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) to overcome all its challenges and succeed exceedingly. We should all join hands to make that goal a reality”.