Hon Wahab Owokoniran, the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State in this interview gives a nod to the AD unity convention that was recently held, adding that Afenifere should not meddle with the affairs of the party. Owonkoniran, while faulting the suspension of the local government allocation, however, submitted that it is uncalled for and an abuse of power. The council chief further spoke on the recent face off between the executive and legislative arms of the council, stressing that all is well. He explained that there was a communication gap between the chairman and the legislators. (Excerpts):
The unity convention of the Alliance for Democracy was recently held in Lagos with the aim of bringing both factions together, how do you see this development?
Well, I think it was a very successful convention and I think it was of unity despite the fact that there were certain individuals who were not happy with the outcome. They were not part of it. So, I think we should talk to them, pacify them and bring them back into the fold.
Do you think Afenifere‘s intervention in the affairs of the party will move AD forward in anyway?
No, I don‘t think so. I strongly believe that Afenifere as an organisation should be regarded as a socio-cultural organisation which should not have any intervention within any political set up especially within a political party. As long as they remain a socio-cultural organisation, I have no problem with that, but if they want to meddle with the affairs of the party, I don‘t think it‘s good enough and it is not in the best interest of such an organisation to do so.
A faction of the Alliance for Democracy still insists that Senator Akinfenwa should be the leader, how do you see this?
Those who still feel Akinfenwa should be their own chairman have the right to do so, but I as an individual believe in the convention we‘ve just held and as far as I‘m concerned, Akande‘s the INEC recognized chairman for the AD and that is where I belong.
The creation of new local government areas in Lagos State has resulted in the withdrawal of funds. How has the running of the council been since this suspension of allocation?
Well, actually, it has been very difficult because federal allocation forms the bulk of our revenue. Even though we‘ve not been able to receive this, we have been intensifying efforts to shore up collection of internally generated revenue and it has been yielding lot of positive results. The assistance being rendered by the state has also helped. But we would rather want a situation whereby our statutory allocation will be given to us. We think it is illegal for the President to just decide, unilaterally, to withhold our money. It is our constitutional right. I just returned from Abuja where the Chief Justice told the Federal government that it is not within its jurisdiction to determine what is legal or illegal. It is the court that has the power to do so and acting before the pronouncement means acting arbitrarily. So, what they have done is illegal, uncalled for and abuse of power.
It was recently reported that the Lagos State House of Assembly has reverted to the old 20 local government councils, are you in support of this development?
The Lagos State House of Assembly represents the whole of Lagos state and whatever they do is what I endorse. But what I know they have done is not reverting back to 20 local governments, but reverting back to names of those 20 especially the five that have not been registered. The old 20 names are now in existence with the additional 37 local governments that have been created, so we still have 57 local governments. It‘s the same.
Do you think that reverting to the old names will cause the release of the withheld allocation, since that was the bone of contention?
I hope they do. But I know them for what they are, they will refuse to do so. Even as the Chief Justice told Afe Babalola that as he was claiming that the old 20 local governments have been scraped and that there‘s nothing in existence and the President says he doesn‘t know whom to pay to. If he doesn‘t know whom to pay to, he should come to us (the Supreme Court). So whether we revert back or not, the President is tense. His intention is to frustrate us so that PDP can take over, whatever we do, he will still refuse until he is compelled to do .
What if the President does not release the allocation, what do you think should be done?
If he doesn‘t comply, then, the people should decide.
Recently, there was a conflict between the executive arm of your council and the legislative arm which led to closure of the council‘s secretariat, what happened and has it been resolved?
Well, the issue has been completely resolved. I really have to thank His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State for having intervened. You see, the problem started around June. The time was just too short for anyone to start creating any crisis.
There was a communication gap and lack of patience between us and the legislators. That gap has been closed and we hope that we‘ll not experience such a situation again. Those who were not well educated are now well educated about certain issues, about running of government, the governance of the local government. Despite the fact that everything has been resolved. I think the councilors still have one or two things to resolve with the party itself but apart from that, everything is fine.
What is your relationship with the legislative arm of government in your council at present?
I want to say that it is cordial.
What chances do you think the Alliance for Democracy (AD) has in having a firm grip on Lagos State come 2007?
One thing I know is that we the people of Lagos state have resolved to take our destiny in our hands and if we continue to maintain the political structure we have on ground, call it AD, call it whatever you want, in Lagos State, we will still control the state. I don‘t have any doubt those who are controlling Lagos State today by the grace of God will control it tomorrow, 2007, 2011 and 2015, all things being equal.
As the battle for the 2007 gubernatorial seat is getting hot, what qualities are expected in the governor that‘ll emerge?
Well, they want a governor that will continue with the good work of Governor Bola Tinubu and whatever improvement is on ground, he should be able to improve on it. If he should follow the laid down procedures of Tinubu, I don‘t see any problem, the person will excel.
