It’s no longer news that Olamilekan Akindipe, popularly known as Lampholder, was declared the flag bearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC} Executive Chairman for Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government at the just concluded Local Government Primaries by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC} yesterday. What matters now is for the party to initiate the electioneering process for Akindipe’s ascension as the fourth duly elected executive chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government by July 12, 2025. And while its expedient to persuade other camps to embrace the party position, it’s also worth the while to bring to limelight the impact of the twenty delegates and the supremacy of the party leading to the victory of the man who is now regarded as the lamp bearer destined to lead the pathway for the people of Ajegunle to the promise land beyond 2025, writes Fakunle Sheriff Ekundayo.
Just like in January 2024, when the political campaigns commenced in Ajegunle for a new gaffer at the helm of affairs in Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government, Comrade Olamilekan Akindipe was one of the first few to publicly publish his intentions to aspire for the number one seat in Ajegunle.
While some from several quarters considered it an audacious move stemming from the Alayabiagba community in the local government, the man himself and unknown to many, had begun his political permutations many years before now, especially with his ability to acculturate and integrate himself into the political culture of ‘College Road Politics’. Over the years, he has earned the trust and confidence of the political powerhouse of the Oluwa political dynasty, hence his prominent roles in the revered group, ‘Asiwaju Disciples’ at College Road.
Now, back to the main topic: Akindipe and the 20 delegates….how did we get here? What were the strategies adopted by the man with the promising lamp that enabled him to garner twenty {20} votes out of the twenty-four {24} votes that were recorded officially by the LASIEC electoral officers at ACME yesterday?
In my recent article dated Monday, April 28, 2025, I identified the reasons why Asiwaju Rabiu Adio Oluwa must rise to the occasion and rescue ‘College Road’ power house from the prevailing political gladiators waiting by the flanks. And in specific terms, I wrote that Asiwaju Rabiu Adio Oluwa may decide to pull up his joker if the public outcry on too many Oluwa aspirations was becoming politically unacceptable, that he would likely opt for his ‘College Road’ loyalist Olamilekan Akindipe.
Now, after a series of meetings leading to a consensus representative by the party leaders, we publish the same name {Olamilekan Akindipe}, as one of the aspirants on the radar of the party’s choice as APC flag bearer for Ajeromi-ifelodun local government.
The twenty delegates who voted for Olamilekan Akindipe without a doubt have been mandated to do so through the party’s supremacy. It is a political directive that defies any political scheming from other aspirants who decided to woo the delegates with the ‘last supper’ a night before.
This year’s race to the seat of power in Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government is less traumatic and less adventurous because the political situations at the national and state levels were not ready to undermine the influence of grassroots gladiators leading towards 2027, hence the big cats in the grassroots were allowed to have their way and say.
Many thanks to the vibrant political activism of Hon. Oladimeji Balogun, the former lawmaker representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency 2, and current CEO of Lagos State Ferry Services. He gave College Road a run for their money and stirred up the polity with his brazen political ideologies. That made the leaders sit up and move toward a consensus candidate without delay.
The supremacy of the party through Asiwaju Rabiu Adio Oluwa and his lieutenants, which comprises of party chairman Chief Sam Adeyemi, Federal House of Representatives member Dr Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul and incumbent executive chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government Ayoola Fatai Adekunle was able to put their feet down, and swayed the delegates’ vote in favour of an Olamilekan Akindipe!
It does not matter the strategic political squinting by the aspirants on the delegates, they knew where they were headed! And for many who understand the game, party supremacy supersedes at all times.
Asiwaju Rabiu Adio Oluwa, in his political wizardry, has allowed the political agitations from other quarters to prevail with the adoption of Olamilekan Akindipe, a choice he and his lieutenants prepped with uttermost political sarcasm for the retention of power at College Road. What a subtle ‘Greek gift’ for the Ajegunle L’okan apologists!
The quid pro quo among the political lieutenants of Asiwaju Rabiu Adio Oluwa may not be far-fetched. They have delivered and retained power for College Road, payback time may not be far ahead with the State and National election in 2027, because what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander!
And as we look ahead and follow the lamp bearer for a successful All Progressives Congress {APC} election in the grassroots by July 2025, a toast of victory must be alluded to the man who may yet be regarded as the grand master of politicking in Ajeromi-Ifelodun local government, he delivered Ayoola in 2017, and now Olamilekan Akindipe, may your reign continues beyond 2027 at the green chamber. Congratulations to you, Cicero, we are learning with all pleasure.
To everyone, the twenty delegates have delivered, and party supremacy has prevailed once more. Let the man who holds the lamp lead the pathway for a new political horizon in Ajegunle beyond 2025.
Welcome Olamilekan Akindipe!
Fakunle Sheriff Ekundayo is an Author, Columnist, Speech therapist, Broadcaster, News reporter, voice-over artist, and Community Development Advocate. He was the General Secretary for the Presidential and Governorship campaign committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC}, Badagry Division, at the 2023 General Elections.
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