The Awori Renaissance Forum has called on the African Democratic Congress to bring back Mr. Olalekan Anjolaiya as the party’s candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency. They believe this will help address the alleged marginalisation of the Awori people.
The appeal was made in a statement on Tuesday by the Forum's Coordinator, Mr. Muraina Ajala.
Ajala said they were making this call after hearing that Anjolaiya, who was first named as the party’s candidate, had been disqualified due to claims of multiple party registrations.
He stated that replacing Anjolaiya with someone who is not from the area would be “a miscarriage of justice.” He mentioned that there are qualified Awori sons and daughters ready to represent Alimosho in the National Assembly.
Relisting Anjolaiya would allow the Awori-speaking people of Alimosho to have their own representative. Ajala described this as a way to end what he called years of political marginalisation.
“We are using this chance to call on ADC leadership to correct the wrong done to our son and standard bearer, Hon. Olalekan Anjolaiya, who is the only hope for the Awori people of Alimosho.
“Our appeal is directed at the national leadership of the party, especially the National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who we believe can make this right.
“We are particularly worried about the ongoing injustice towards our people who are native to Alimosho. It hurts us to see that there seems to be a plan to exclude us from power by various political parties in Lagos State, especially in Alimosho Federal Constituency,” Ajala said.
The forum claimed that Awori-speaking people have often been left out when it comes to choosing candidates for the area, even though there are capable individuals ready to represent them.
They also described Anjolaiya as “a son of the soil,” highlighting his contributions to community development. They noted that his efforts earned him the traditional title of Bobakeye of Igandoland.
“The affected member is someone we know well. He has done so much for Aworiland, especially in Igandoland. This is why the traditional ruler of Igando, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, recently honoured him with the title of Bobakeye of Igandoland,” the statement said.
The group further argued that allowing someone who is not from the area to represent them would mean “double jeopardy” for the Awori people.
“We are even more concerned that the only time we have been represented by one of our own is now by our current representative, Hon. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba. He has been denied a return ticket by the ruling All Progressives Congress. We do not want our son, Olalekan Anjolaiya, to face the same situation, and this is why we are making this urgent call,” Ajala added.
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