16th August, 2011
Groups and elders in Ifako–Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, have kicked against the second term bid of the incumbent chairman, Mr. Demola Doherty.
In a letter sent to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), entitled Hon. Demola Doherty Second Term Bid: Our Position, and signed by Alhaji Y.A. Lasisi, President, Muslim Community, Yussuf Azeez, Secretary and Reverend J.S.A. Oladele, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ifako-Ijaiye chapter and his Secretary, M.O.A. Dare, the religion leaders described the first term of Doherty “as not satisfactory and his general performance is below average.”
“In the light of this, we have resolved at a meeting, that we will not endorse him for a second term.”
While congratulating the Action Congress Of Nigeria (ACN), for its resounding victory during the 2011 polls, the religion leaders advised the leadership of the party not to impose a non-performer on the local government during the forthcoming poll.
A copy of the letter was also sent to the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Alhaji Olatunji Hamzat, Alhaji Akande, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku, Otunba Henry Ajomale and the ACN secretariat.
In a separate letter sent to Asiwaju Tinubu on the same issue, Coalition Of Civil Societies For Good Governance, on behalf of the people of Ifako-Ijaiye, expressed displeasure over the maladministration of Doherty in the last three years.
“His contribution in terms of service delivery from the enormous monthly statutory allocation is nil,” the coalition stated.
Copies of the letter signed by Comrade Raji Rasheed, President, YCAC, Toyin Raheem, Executive Secretary, CDHR and Nelson Ekujimi, on behalf of the Defence of People’s Mandate, was sent to Mr. Fashola, G.O. Hamzat, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, Mr. Dayo Saka, Adegboyega Adebayo Salvador and others.
Also, a group of elders, Ifako-Ijaiye Elders Forum, under the leadership of Elder E.O. Ojo, Alhaji S.M. Ogabi and Chief J.O. Tawose, said it will not support Doherty’s return as chairman of the local government. They accused the chairman of non-performance.
A source at the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government secretariat, however, disagreed with the critics of Doherty, accusing them of having a candidate for the position in the coming polls.
—Ayodele Lawal