- ‘We want to produce next governor of Lagos’
Justice Forum, a formost caucus in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, has began mobilisation for future polls in the Centre of Excellence.
Its coordinator, James Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives, said it is the wish of the group to produce the next governor in 2007.
Leaders of the group, including former Deputy Governor Abiodun Ogunleye, Olorunfunmi Basorun, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Alhaji Alabi Macfoy and Otunba Oladele Ajomale, urged members to gird their loins, work hard, mobilise for the party and win the votes of Lagosians.
They said the error of 2023, which led to the defeat of the APC at the presidential election should not be repeated, charging members to rededicate themselves to the group and the party.
The leaders spoke at the commissioning of the Justice Forum secretariat along Sobo Arobiodu Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos at the weekend.
The caucus secretariat is more beautiful than the party secretariat along Acme Road, Ogba. It evoked the pathfinding works of the old progressive warhorses, from Primus days, to the current dispensation where they have managed to remain as gerontocratic monitors of the political process in the state, despite the challenge posed by younger elements in the Mandate Group.
Ogunleye, who was Alliance for Democracy (AD) chairman for seven years, presented the revised constitution of the Justice Forum to Faleke, with the observation that, like all documents, it may not be perfect. Two aging leaders of the political machinery – Oluyole Olusi, a prince of Lagos, and Otunba Gbelegbuwa Busura Alebiosu from Kosofe sub-zone, sent their solidarity messages.
A minute of silence was observed in honour of deceased leaders, including Oba Olatunji Hamzat, Mrs Modupe Awodogan (Iya Oniyan), Chief Kayode Olowu and Alhaji Karimu Laka Orelope, who made impressive contributions to the reshaping of the group.
Tribute was also paid to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a member of the group, who is also the patron of the two caucuses – Justice Forum and Mandate Group.
At the inauguration were former Deputy Governors Sarah Sosan and Joke Orelope-Adefulire; Housing Commissioner Morof Akinderu-Fatai, House of Representatives member Yemi Alli, Oyinlomo Danmole, Yahaya Dosunmu, Pa Bakare, Tajudeen Agoro, Pa Tayo Oyemade, former House of Assembly Speaker Joko Pelumi, Yinka Durosinmi, House of Assembly member Femi Saheed, Abiodun Mafe, Afeez Ipesa-Balogun, Hakeem Bamgbola, Toyese Olusi, Muslim Folami, Gboyega,Salvador, Moshood Oshun, Kayode Ajala, Isiak Olatunde, Barrister Balogun and Pa Akilaya.
Ali, for Odiolowo-Ojuwoye council chairman, described JF as a renewed group that is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), paying tribute to its forefathers who thought ahead of time.
He urged members to return to their localities to attract more people to the organisation and the party because there many many people outside wishing to be members.
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Ogunleye hailed the leaders for reviewing constitution, saying that it would be the compass. He thanked Ajomale, who headed the review committee and those who worked with him – Danmole. “The constitution is not completely perfect. It can still be reviewed in the future,” he said.
After receiving the constitution, Faleke, who left Mandate Group for JF, said:”We will abide by the details of the Constitution. The document will elevate us. I can assure you that by the grace of God, the next governor of Lagos State will come from this group.
“To you, our fathers and leaders, we will not disappoint you. You have trust in us. During our time, Justice Forum will be stronger.”
Faleke called for loyalty, saying that the sacrifices will not be in vain. He said nobody can rubbish JF in Lagos, stressing that members of the group will always deploy their intellect.
Faleke added:”Politics is a game of struggle, but it should not lead to protracted rift. We should not be self-centred. What we do should be to the glory of the state. We have the President and he is tge father of all. We have been in slumber. But the state executive will start the visit to the local chapters. Our leaders will settle the rift in some local government areas.”
Faleke’s declaration that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s successor should come from JF drew an applause. Although there is no consensus yet on any candidate, it is likely to provoke a fiece partisan competition between the JF and its main rival, Mandate Group.
Those said to be eyeing the number one seat across the two caucuses and beyond include an intellectual son of a pioneer JF leader and monarch, lawyer-son of a judge, senator-son of a senator-jurist, former three-term House of Representatives member from Ikorodu, a lawyer- member of State Executive Council from Ikorodu, a power broker from Mushin, a former senator and minister from Lagos Central, head of the state legislature, lawyer/businessman-son of the topmost politician, former deputy chairman of the National Assembly, and head of Governor’s Office Staff. Some may drop out. Others may join the list.
Orelope-Adefulire thanked the leaders for their encouragement and motivation, stressing that “we should mobilise more members effectively and massively.”
She added:”This is the first group that Asiwaju launched. I appeal to some aggrieved members to sheath their swords.”
Seized by nostalgia, Ajomale said JF is at the forefront because “we are with Asiwaju and Asiwaju is with us.” He also said God has chosen Faleke to coordinate the group. “Today is a day of joy and happiness for those of us who have been members from the beginning,” he added, applauding Basorun and Oluwa for their fidelity to the group.
Ajomale, who was state party chairman for 12 years, said:”We never lost elections in 12 years. But it is painful that Asiwaju lost Lagos. They sing ‘on your mandate we shall stand,’ but it is a lie. Truth is displacing lies in Lagos APC.”
Macfoy, who is also a Muslim leader in Lagos, hailed Faleke for his contribution to the Tinubu presidential campaigns. To the members, he said:”Let us resolve to work hard and mobilise.”
For Basorun, who rendered the opening prayer, it was a moment of sober reflection. “Only God saved us that the governorship election was not the first election conducted in 2023,” he said.
To avoid another electoral tragedy, he said “we need to go back and start mobilising ahead of 2027. There is need for meticulous planning.”
Danmole called for reconciliation in the group, particularly in areas where some members are aggrieved. He also called for the decentralisation of crisis resolution.
He stressed: “If you have challenges at the local government level, don’t go and fight at the state secretariat. Contact your senatorial leader and they will resolve the issues. Macfoy in Lagos Central, Alhaji Oluwa, Otunba Ajomale in West, Prince Ogunleye and Pa Basorun in East.”
Oluwa said that JF cannot be banned. In fact, he said “no ban on groups is coming again,” stressing that caucuses have been a key feature of political parties from the days of the Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
Like his colleagues, he warned that the mistake of 2023 should not be repeated. “Last election ran into turbulence because of the absence of caucus mobilisation. Lets us unite. Lets us work hard. Lets mobilise for our group and our party.”
JF showed concern for its grassroots members. For Yuletide, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat sent 250 bags of rice to them. Also, Faleke donated 600 bags of rice and N150,000 as transfort fare each of the 57 councils that sent delegates to the ceremony.