Hon Oladele Adekanye: Local Gov’t Offers Best Platform To Hold Leaders Accountable
Hon.Oladele Adekanye popularly called Lado, a Former Chairman Lagos Mainland Local Government and a Former Lagos State House Of Assembly Member representing constituency 1in Lagos Mainland, has urged Nigerians to participate fully and take advantage of the local government to hold leaders accountable.
Hon Adekanye insisted that the local government presents the best opportunity for the electorates to participate and monitor programs of leaders because of the closeness and accessibility to the people.
In an Interview with THECONSCIENCEng on Saturday in Lagos during the State Local Government and Local Council Development Areas elections, the well respected politician counselled that rather than resort to voter apathy which allows for bad governance, people should get more involved through their access to the local government politicians and exercise their rights of choice for good leadership and development.
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Hon.Oladele Adekanye said: “The electorates have the power to renew or revoke mandate periodically based on the performances of politicians. The voters wield enormous powers and politicians must remember this.
“Local government brings governance to the grassroots and reach of people. The politicians are sometimes our neighbours and within reach unlike the gubernatorial or federal who are a bit farther from us.
“I expect people to come out en mass and cast their votes and use their power. They most likely know the local politicians and one would expect that that boosts the enthusiasm level.
“I was a former Local Government Chairman here in Mainland and I lived here along members of my family. Everyone could walk in here and be attended to. That was what obtained then. Since you knew me and we are neighbours, even if we are not you would have seen me campaign so you should be enthusiastic and show interest. It’s not the once in 4 years period like gubernatorial or federal, Hon.Oladele Adekanye said.
“If people refuse to use their power to vote then they have no moral rights to complain about governance. The best approach is to go and vote and protect the votes even if you think it may not count. We must not give in to despair no matter what.
“Though not directly to me, people talk about going to vote and later seeing unexpected results making them discouraged and see the exercise as wasteful. For me, that should not be. We should forget the past and focus on the progress.
“Instead of allowing someone with a bad plan to have a field day, vote and wait for the outcome. Social media has also helped to expose anyone with such sinister plans. They will be afraid of being exposed and shamed publicly. But we must play our part.
Hon.Oladele Adekanye also urged Lagosians to give the Chairman of Lasiec Justice Ayotunde Phillips and her team a chance for a credible election since she has put her name and integrity on the table. Personally, I am convinced that she and her team should be given a chance.
Today, LASIEC has done well. Their officials arrived early, materials available and everything was on point. With our past experience with INEC, we should not take such progress from LASIEC for granted. LASIEC has shown that it means serious business. Even when card reader failed, they used incidence sheets. For me I am satisfied and by the grace of God, APC will continue to be victorious because we have done well.
Lado further encouraged Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole not to despair because of past experience but to look forward and participate actively for change.
He urged them to come out as a team during election to vote and stand by their votes till their votes are counted.
