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Tension Mounts In Isolo Justice Forum

. As Group Imposes Exorbitant Levies On Council Election Aspirants

There is palpable tension in the ranks of Isolo LCDA chapter of the Justice Forum (JF) ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

The Snoop exclusively gathered that the reason for the uneasiness within the group is not unconnected with the decision to impose levies on intending aspirants for elective positions in the forthcoming local government elections.

In a message posted on its official WhatsApp platform, the group invites aspiring members applying for the position of council chairman and councilors from the various political wards to do so by applying through the group’s Chief Point Man (CPM), Pastor Funmi Dawodu.

The application is to be accompanied with a cheque deposit in the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand (N750, 000) for the position of council chairman while those aspiring for councillorship positions are expected to pay Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000) only. Payment is expected to be made before the deadline date of 18^th January 2025.

Expectedly, the imposition of levies has been greeted with caustic remarks as majority of members and aspirants are up in arms with the group’s leadership for imposing such exorbitant fees.

While some sources claim the levies were imposed in order to reduce the number of the aspirants, others were quick to add that the levies were ostensibly designed to favour some aspirants over others.

The development has therefore become a thorny issue among the leadership of the group as some influential leaders are reportedly kicking against the levies. “It is detrimental to the collective goal of the group because it would become counter-productive. We cannot over-burden the aspirants now that the party is yet to come out with its own guidelines. Besides, such high fees heighten expectation of the aspirants who are most likely to heap so much pressure on the group,” an impeccable source told our reporter in confidence.

He added: “It is not a done deal for Justice Forum yet because we have to factor in the interest of other groups if we are determined to present a united front in the forthcoming elections. It cannot be business as usual. We must come to a round table with the other groups to mobilize our party members for the election if we must present an all-inclusive front.”  

  However, another source told our reporter that financial strain is responsible for the imposition of the levy. “The group is faced with lack of funds to execute some of our programmes and we don’t want to be relying on anybody. So, we have to device a way to raise money,” says our source.  

Meanwhile, it appears the group leadership is confronted with a herculean task of picking an acceptable choice among five aspirants reported to be jostling for the council chairmanship seat from the group. Those rumored to be eyeing the exalted seat include the current Vice Chairman, Hon. Shakirudeen Adeola Sadiq; the current SLG, Hon. Sikiru Adeshina (a.k.a Current); the APC State Auditor, Hon Doyin Pikuda; former Woman Leader, Hon Bisola Adepena and Princess Olateru Olagbegi.

However, only Current is said to have paid the mandatory levy as at the time of filling this report. Others are reportedly exercising restraint as they are said to be looking for assurances from the group’s leadership of their eventual selection before committing such amount.

To this end, all eyes are on the Apex Leader of the group, Barr. Dele Ajomale who wields enormous authority in choosing the eventual candidate of the group. But some aspirants are using their relationship with close aides of the Apex Leader to influence the final outcome of the group’s screening exercise.

Those being lobbied include the chairman of the screening panel, Hon. (Mrs) Modupe Mary Oseghale, Alhaji Mukaila Ajao (Milanco) and Otunba Jide Oni.