Daily Independent Online.
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Thursday, August 12, 2004.
Afikuyomi consults AD leaders over plan
for governorship race
By Habib Aruna
Assistant
Political Editor, Lagos
Senator
Tokunbo Afikuyomi was in Ikorodu on Monday apparently in continuation of his
visit to political leaders in the state before formally announcing his governorship
ambition in 2007.
He
visited the residence of Alhaji Mufutau Ajisebutu, a chieftain of the Alliance
for Democracy (AD), who many have praised for the victories the party has
recorded in the past elections and who has in the past few months been at loggerheads
with Governor Bola Tinubu.
Ajisebutu,
who was in the company of some of the AD top members, lamented the raw deal he
got from Tinubu after working tirelessly for his election both in 1999 and
2003, adding that what he got in return was harassment from government
officials and imposition of candidates to lead the party at Ikorodu Division.
“Just
last week, I was invited by his (Tinubu’s) mother. I could have refused
to go but I went there because I have respect for elders. Those who are now
benefiting from him could not even deliver their polling booths at the
elections”, he added.
The
AD leader maintained that he is not a leader who is merely on the surface,
saying that his group, the Afenifere Unity Forum (AUF), has an extensive reach
in the state. He frowned at the step taken by the governor when he, according
to him, imposed a candidate for chairmanship of the party in Ikorodu.
“I
am not a kabukabu politician, I am a grassroots man and I conduct meetings
regularly with my members. The governor cannot come and impose somebody on us
here. It is not possible”, said Ajisebutu, who said he had not ruled out
a middle way approach to the crisis.
In
his brief response before they went for a closed-door meeting, Afikuyomi
regretted the level of the growing animosity between Ajisebutu and the
governor, saying it was unfortunate. “Even the governor recognised the
role and importance of leaders in the party and that is why all of us are
concerned with what is going on”, he added.
He
disclosed that concerned members of the party are working hard to make sure the
issue is resolved amicably, adding that even Tinubu had acknowledged his
importance to the party. “He (Tinubu) has said that we cannot afford to
lose you”, said the senator who represents Lagos West Senatorial
District, stressing
that
“I agree and accept that our decisions might not have been just, but we
pray that you will be able to fulfill your desire. We will do everything within
our power to make sure we right the wrongs”.
Though
the two politicians were not forthcoming on what transpired in their meeting,
Daily Independent gathered, however, that Ajisebutu was frank in his advice to
Afikuyomi that he should consult widely before coming out to declare for the
race.
