The Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, has in the last one year undertaken the affairs of the council due to the shocking death of the erstwhile Chairman, Abdulfatai Ayodele Oyesanya, on 21st of January, 2020, just before Nigerian government took the Covid-19 pandemic serious.
Though, she started off her career in the council on a negative note in the Kosofe Inside-Out books, she felt articles published through our medium before her inauguration, weren’t penned down in good faith. Kosofe Inside-Out dished out several articles which stipulates the position of the law on the death of a Chairman of a council in Lagos State. Our outfit further made clear the illegality of swearing-in a Vice-Chairman as substantive Chairman of the LG/LCDA, as the LG administration guidelines, as amended by the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015, has created a wide unfilled gap in the constitution. The downside of that document is that the legislative arm of state government administration didn’t make provision for the demise of any Executive chairman in the law. It only catered to the absence of the Chairman, which could be on any basis, and the Vice-Chairman steps into the office of the Chairman, in an acting capacity i.e not granted full executive powers.
Samiat Bolanle Bada took the mantle of leadership of Ikosi-Isheri, as sworned-in by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on 30th of January, 2020. She started by bringing peace and dismantled all barriers in-between factions, this brought all factions closer to her administration and a courtesy visit to all party leaders in Kosofe local government was embarked on. This was a step in the right direction, if you want to succeed in politics. She then demonstrated enthusiasm towards the successful completion of the last one year of inherited Chairmanship which Oyesco, her boss left behind.
When news broke on Tuesday 23rd February, 2021, about her altercation with the legislative chambers of the council, we swung the other direction to find out what truly transpired ditto her achievements in the last 13 months.
Below are the projects we found worthy as being achievements of the self-acclaimed Mayoress of Ikosi-Isheri:
Total Construction of 9 Roads:
Jamiu Balogun Street, Ketu. Mile 12 Market Ring Road. Femi Ogun Street, Shangisha. Ademola Oshinowo Street, Ikosi-Oke. Olayemi Odutayo Street, Ikosi-Oke. Alhaji Yekini Aromolate Street, Shangisha. Oluyombo Street (Work is ongoing). Elegbeleye and Ifelodun Streets, Ikosi.
-Presentation of 500KVA Transformer to Maidan/Orile/Patele community.
-Ongoing reconstruction and modenisation of Jakande Fruits Market, Ketu.
-Establishment of a Customary court in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA.
-Distribution of Furniture and educational materials (books, socks, bags, mathematical sets, writing materials, benches and desks as well as teachers’ office furniture) to all 12 primary schools in Ikosi-Isheri LCDA.
-Distribution of seven utility vehicles to the Police and Monarchs.
-Presentation of monthly financial aid to unemployed youths.
-Monthly distribution of food/welfare packages to widows and the elderly.
With the above, one won’t but applaud the dedication and commitment of Princess Samiat Bada, of the Oyesco team, in the last 13 months.
The Oyesco administration is one that is usually saddled with public disagreements between the Chairman and the legislative arm, this might just be another one which took too long to execute. Four out of the seven councillors who responded during our research in other to find out the claim that is being brandished in the media claim that outburst was a misrepresentation of what truly transpired and efforts is underway within the party to resolve the situation. Party leaders of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA should take a critical look into the issues and pacify warring factions in order to sheathe their swords, while the progress continues.
A source, who works closely with the Head of Administration, Mr Sunday Olujobi, however disclosed to us how the councillors insisted on collecting money rather than follow due process.
“They are acting on a script well written by thier paymaster, a leader known for disrupting the peace of the council. The same leader was orchestrated this same act during the first tenure of the late Chairman, Hon. Oyesco, he backed some of the legislative members against the chairman, in order to achieve his personal gains, but luckily during that dispensation, councillors were nominated by leaders with virtues and integrity, the crisis he brewed was averted.
Hon Owolabi Taiwo, who nominated Ward D councilor, being a victim of the ill-advised syndrome, warned his nominee from following the destructive and self-centered instructions from his former leader. Other progressive leaders have warned their nominees from pursuing illicit demands from the council administration.
Their demand which are unconstitutional include the demand for imprest and sitting allowance, after which had been incorporated into their recently increased salary package, payment of furniture allowance as condition to append signature on the 2021 budget. They also made unreasonable demands for financial inducements in Six digits before they consent to the budget.” He noted.
To our surprise, findings further revealed that Ikosi-Isheri legislative arm who threatened a showdown with the Chairman, as regards allowing the budget pass have derived a means to append their signatures on the said budget, which means they are greedy and selfishly seeking monetary rewards to sign a budget after propaganda of wanting to scrutinize the appropriation in line with their constitutional responsibilities.
