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 Apex Leadership: Mandate Leaders Reject Ganiu Johnson

Leaders of The Mandate Movement (TMM) in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area have rejected former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Ganiu Abiodun Johnson as the Apex Leader of the political group.

Before now, the erstwhile Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure had literally picked up arms with Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) influential member, Chief Muraina Akanbi Taiwo over the apex leadership of the group.

Investigation revealed that at reconciliation meeting held on Monday 24^th June, 2024 at the GRA Ogudu residence of one of the prominent Mandate Movement leaders, Sen. Anthony Adefuye, Hon. Johnson was chosen as the Apex Leader of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area. Johnson’s choice was said to have been arrived at following the recognition of only two mandate groups in Isolo.

The two groups recognized by the state leaders at the meeting then were Friends of Ganiu Johnson and KWAM 1’s Peacock group. But this decision did not go down well with some interest groups who felt alienated from the larger group. Though, Johnson was reportedly advised to reach out to Wasiu Ayinde and other leaders in Isolo with a view to forming a strong and formidable alliance.

But for more than two months, there was reportedly no report of Johnson extending olive branch to other leaders in the local government, a development which prompted the intervention of the influential GAC member, Chief M.A. Taiwo.    

Irked by the lack of activities within the larger group, Chief Taiwo had summoned a leaders/stakeholders meeting on 14^th August 2024 at Ibis Hotel, Ajao Estate to discuss the way forward for the Mandate Movement in Oshodi/Isolo LGA. At the meeting were leaders from Oshodi, Isolo and Ejigbo. They include Hon Johnson, Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye, Hon. Monsurudeen Oloyede, Hon. Steven Ogundipe, Hon. Bayo Olasoju, Hon. S.O. Aina, Hon. Wale Adelana, Alhaji Segun Aribidesi and Hon. Adewoyin.

The meeting agreed to inaugurate LGA/LCDAs Executive Committees for Oshodi, Isolo and Ejigbo that will accommodate the various political groups across the local government. Among yhe recognized groups in Isolo are Pa Taiwo’s AUF; Hon. Fabikun’s group, Friends of Ganiu Johnson, Hon. Olaleye’s Turaki Support group,  K.1’s Peacock group and Hon. Bayo Olasoju’s Ileri Oluwa group. The meeting also resolved to share LGA and Ward positions among the five political groups that make up The Mandate Movement in Isolo.

But interestingly, this resolution did not go down well with Hon. Johnson who felt slighted that such a meeting was summoned without his knowledge as the acclaimed Apex Leader. He reportedly expressed his displeasure for not landing the Co-ordinator’s position for his crony, Nimota Olayemi. The positions were therefore shared among the leaders accordingly: K.1 (Co-ordinator), Hon. Niyi Fabikun (Secretary), Chief M.A. Taiwo (Youth Leader), Hon. Bayo Olasoju (Woman Leader), Hon. Olaleye (Welfare Officer) and Hon. Johnson (Less-privileged) which he reportedly declined.

For over two months, it was like the silence of the graveyard within the Mandate Movement fold until Chief Taiwo summoned yet another stakeholders meeting at his Ilasamaja residence. At the meeting, Hon Johnson again reportedly raised the issue of Apex Leadership, claiming he remained the authentic Apex Leader much to the chagrin of other leaders in attendance particularly Hon. Olaleye, Hon. Fabikun and Alhaji Aribidesi who stoutly opposed him on his absurd claim to the apex leadership when the group already has an apex leader in Chief M.A. Taiwo.

Alhaji Aribidesi’s indignation for Johnson’s claim was re-echoed by the Assistant State Secretary of TMM, Barr. Kayode Tinubu, whose intervention literally poured cold water on Johnson’s self-acclaimed apex leadership.

Tinubu pointed out that any GAC member in any local government automatically becomes the Apex Leader of that local government, noting that nobody can equate himself or herself with a GAC member in any circumstance.

Sensing his claim was roundly rejected by all the leaders at the meeting, the embattled former lawmaker reluctantly acceded to Chief Taiwo’s overall leadership but not until he was variously scolded for his sheer arrogance and lack of respect for leaders and constituted authority.

Attempt by The Snoop to get Johnson’s reaction on the leadership crisis through an interview was abortive as he pointedly declared he was not ready to grant any interview when our reporter called him on phone late November last year.

Even a reminder sent to him recently through his media aide, Dotun Oladipo was seemingly rebuffed. Oladpo promised to reach out to his boss and get back to our reporter. Unfortunately, he never did before this report was filed.

However, a close source to the former lawmaker, who craved anonymity, alleged a conspiracy against Johnson. “Yes, the agreement reached at the reconciliatory meeting on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Senaor Adefuye’s Villa in Ogudu, GRA clearly established Hon. (Engr) Johnson as the Apex Leader of The Mandate Movement,” he begins.

“It was also agreed that The Mandate Movement has been restructured on a state-wide level, eliminating the position of Principal Co-ordinator in the local government. The Apex Leader is now the sole recognized leadership position in that level,” he explained

Asked if there was a breach of agreement reached at Adefuye’s meeting, our source intoned. “Yes, there was a breach of the agreement. It was resolved that Hon. Johnson should convene meetings with key stakeholders: K.1 in Isolo, Hon. Kehinde Bamgbetan and Hon. Adewoyin in Ejigbo. These meetings were intended to resolve conflicts and establish a united Mandate Movement structure across Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II and Oshodi Local Government.

“However, instead of following these resolutions, Hon. Bayo Olasoju, the Chairman of Isolo and Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello (OBE) the Chairman of Ejigbo went ahead to invite Pa M.A. Taiwo, a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to mediate over the composition of the Mandate Movement structure in the constituency. This action is inconsistent with the decision reached at the reconciliatory meeting as Pa Taiwo was not mentioned in the resolutions.

“Additionally, given his role in the GAC, Pa Taiwo is expected to operate at the state level of The Mandate Movement and not at the local government level.”

When asked what the future holds for The Mandate Movement in Isolo with the current development, he replied: “The future of The Mandate Movement in Isolo appears uncertain. Without the necessary cooperation among the key in the constituency, the group’s progress is at risk. What the Movemwnt needs now is unity and collaboration, not internal wrangling. Until this is prioritized, the prospect of the Movement will remain bleak.”