AHEAD 2023: IKEJA NEEDS A NEW SEASON NOT SEASON 3 – ABIMBOLA OSIKOYA
By Fanayajo Ranti, The Tochlight Africa News
The intra-party primaries for various political parties are in full force while aspirants for various offices are fully seeking the support of their respective delegates so as to gain the party ticket. One of the major contenders for the Lagos House of Assembly Ikeja Constituency 2 is the former Sole Administrator of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, Hon. Abimbola Osikoya where she proved her mettle as a worthy leader. She is running against the incumbent Adedamola Richard Kasunmu popularly called ARK who is seeking a third term in the House of Assembly.
The lover of great ideas and people, Abimbola is currently the Estate Chairman of one of the largest residential estates in Lagos, Omole Estate Phase 1 located in Ojodu, Lagos. Previously, the woman who holds a Masters degree in Public Policy had worked with the former Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Henry Ajomale.
Hon. Abimbola Osikoya
Hon. Abimbola Osikoya stated that the good people of Ikeja Constituency 2 deserve a new season rather than a Season 3 of low impact-driven activity which Hon. Adedamola Kasunmu is giving. She also affirmed that women participation in politics must increase towards 2023 elections. She tells The Tochlight Africa more about the new ideas she is bringing to the table when she gets the Lagos House of Assembly seat through her party, the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Tochlight Africa: Can you tell us more about what you have done in the past?
Abimbola Osikoya: During the tenure of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor, I worked with his PA, Folarin Coker. I have also worked with Chief Henry Ajomale, the state chairman in the APC secretariat where I served in so many committees. I was also the Sole Administrator of Oshodi-Isolo LGA for more than a year. I feel this is the time for the me to come out again after my role as Sole Administrator. This is the time for women to exhibit themselves. This is the time for women to be included in governance. I am in Ojodu and it is still the same apart from what Hon. James Faleke has been doing for us. He has been doing well.
The Tochlight Africa: Are you saying the incumbent Adedamola Kasunmu has done badly?
Abimbola Osikoya: I don’t have anything against Hon. Kasunmu, he is my brother, I know him. But everybody knows that Ikeja is the heart of Lagos. Everybody knows that when you come to Ikeja, there is a lot to be done. Yes, we make laws but there is a lot more that can be done. There are so many youths out there doing nothing. Let’s make the laws that will get the youths engaged.
Hon. Abimbola Osikoya
We can bring foreign partners that will help our artisans. We can bring them together.
We have to be out there. Let them feel your presence. Let your office be open for people to get across to you. I will go out to meet my people. I will call them together. I will call community leaders together to see what we can do to make the community move forward. Empathy is needed. Listening ear is needed. It is what gives me fulfilment when I see things work well for people.
Before expressing my interest, I have been out there in the community to hear from people on what the impact of the lawmaker is. Apart from Hon. James Faleke, they have not seen the impact of their lawmaker. They have not been well represented. It is time for me to step in to salvage the situation. Faleke is also a lawmaker, yet he is doing this much.
The Tochlight Africa: But you are coming out rather late?
Abimbola Osikoya: I was at home when I got the feeling to push for this. I went to Acme road just three days before the end of the sales of form. When I got the form, I went to my leaders to tell them about my intention and to show them I have collected my form. Some were happy but some said no. I just told them let me just try. I love all of them. That is politics. But as a woman, I know what I am feeling.
Talking about popularity, the person who is currently sitting in the House was not popular when he came out but because we are the ruling party, he won. I have a strong track record here in Ojodu. I have a strong track record in Oshodi-Isolo. So I believe my chances are high. My people know me. I can sell myself to the public. I am also a grassroots person.
The Tochlight Africa: How do you intend to convince people?
Abimbola Osikoya: I don’t believe in stomach infrastructure. You go out them and give them 2 derica of rice. What will that do for them… a whole family. And it is unfortunate that they do it and put it on media. I have 3 young men that I am sponsoring to school. I am the convener of Women in Politics in Omole where we meet once in a month. Last month, a woman attended and talked about her need for a shop. I told her to go and look for it and when she gets it, I will come and pay. I am not going to give the money that you will go and spend. I will rather look for employment for you so you can earn money to take care of your family.
I want people to earn not to be collecting handout. Let them get a skill, I will pay for it and establish them. I am a lawmaker that will not just sit in the office. We will have to roll our sleeves to do the work. It is about communication. It is about bringing people together. It is about knowing their needs and meeting it.
The Tochlight Africa: Your current role in Omole estate, how much of impact have you made?
Abimbola Osikoya: We had a Chairman who passed away. Then as Vice chairman, there was an AGM where I was ratified to continue. That was in July last year. Since then, I have been working at it. Omole is quite big with 18 sectors and 5 gates. When I assumed office, the first thing I noticed was that security was porous. People just stand by the gates and people drive into the estate as they like. There was a kidnap attempt last month which failed to the glory of God. Now, I introduced e-tags for everyone who wants to drive in. We are planning to redesign the main gate to tackle this insecurity issue. On the issues of our environment, I have setup a committee to look at the issue in the estate.
The Tochlight Africa: What will be your advice to our people as 2023 elections draw near?
Abimbola Osikoya: I wouldn’t encourage our people to do that this time around. I will tell them I don’t have the money now but when I get there, what I will bring you will make you thank God for meeting me. I don’t want this kind of peanut that politicians give and they will be knocking your gate for the next 4 years. I don’t want that. I will bring skills training, I will tell them to learn a trade, then we can establish them