All is now set to wrestle power from the old brigades in Lagos State as new membership registration process begins—for the next two weeks. Previously, smart politicians have cornered the exercise to gain selfish political advantage with which they monopolized power—to the detriment of the overall democratic objectives. Consequently, the damage done has been unparalleled in the history of this nation.
Notable figures have used the fake existing register filled up with only stooges and loyal membership to control the reins of power and in the process causing irreparable damage by suppressing popular opinion and candidates. “They sit in their oriental mansions and pretend to hold court while secretly propelling their proxies to various government positions. By having control of the register, they are able to send their cousins, nephews, wives to the senate, state house of assemblies and also threaten opponents with impeachment.
Lagos State especially has been worse hit. Now, as a result of awareness and sensitization, the eyes of members of the public are now open and they are ready to do the correct thing: fill the blank spaces with real characters—not imaginary ones! The Mai Mala Bunu leadership has set the ball rolling by constituting seven-man committees for each state to ensure the process is open and sincere. This laudable move, however, did not go down with a popular faction in the State prompting a response from one of their kingpin’s honourable faleke who mooted the idea of postponement.
He was instantly rebuffed by the APC hierarchy. Fouad Oki, a leading opposition voice in the state has taken the gauntlet challenging the existing structure; he is supported by one Alhaji Abdulazeez Adeniran who is said to be the leader of “Lagos4Lagos Movement”. A close observation of the tense situation confirms the fact that more Lagosians are throwing their weight behind the Fouad Oki led faction. Fouad had fought a gallant battle during the 2018 primaries to halt the undemocratic conspiracy by those in control of the party structure—at the time– to “edge out” a former governor who was denied membership until the last minute.
Fouad Oki, it is believed, seek to correct that “injustice”, which is still causing disaffection amongst a broad section of honest Lagosians to this day. Now sensing defeat, the previously unchallenged status quo is said to be spreading rumours of parallel exercise. “That’s a ruse”, said Chief Bode Phillips a known political enthusiast. “They are setting the stage to paint the exercise in a bad light in case they lose out”, he told the newspaperman. “You know the national leadership are determined to ensure equity, justice and fairness which some people don’t like”, he stated. “My advice is that everyone should come out and exercise their democratic rights”, adding that party membership is for all. Whoever gains control of the new register is certain to have a voice ahead of 2023.
From Southwest alone, three presidential candidates are said to be spoiling for a fight; they are Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Kayode Fayemi and Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo. “But without correcting that wrong of 2018, they should forget about whatever ambition they have”, Bode Phillips disclosed. He restated that the Yoruba’s must come together and discuss. “Everyone is important; no one is indispensable”, he said warning that the Yoruba’s cannot benefit from the one-man politics being played out warning that the time for an all-inclusive ideology was now! “If Bola Tinubu becomes president tomorrow, how that impacts on the Yoruba race?” he asked arguing further that Tinubu must return to the drawing table. For now, it is possible that the Fouad Oki faction will eventually emerge the new power block for Lagos to have a respite.
