No Leadership Vacuum In Mushin, Odi-Olowo – The Mandate Movement Fires GOS, Osiyemi
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Recent reports claiming that Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon has been endorsed as the ‘authentic’ leader of The Mandate Movement (TMM) in Mushin Local Government and Odi-Olowo LCDA have been debunked by the group’s state secretariat. The secretariat noted that the claim is misleading and baseless.
In response to a question from our correspondent, Comrade Babatunde Alani, an aide to the Lagos State Chairman of The Mandate Movement, said he would personally not have reacted to the gatherings by Senator Solomon and Hon. Osiyemi, as they are merely running a club gathering. However, his response aims to further enlighten authentic members and the general public to be wary of counterfeit gatherings claiming to be The Mandate Movement.
He said, “The village square meeting of the Ideal Club reported to have occurred under Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon failed to provide credible evidence or endorsement from recognized leaders within The Mandate Movement. Key figures purported to have supported Senator Solomon’s endorsement, such as Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, Seye Oladejo, Funmi Tejuoso, and Michael Ikufisile, lack the authority to make such endorsements, as they do not hold recognized leadership positions within TMM at the state level.”
He emphasized that the individuals said to be backing Senator Solomon’s endorsement are leaders of various campaign causes who were instructed to join the two main groups under Lagos APC, i.e., The Mandate Movement and Justice Forum. This casts significant doubt on their legitimacy and authority to make such declarations.
“Additionally, Senator Solomon must recognize that an organization acknowledges individuals, and one should not have the intention of using the group’s name to disrupt the political environment. Senator Solomon should also note that there is no leadership vacuum in Mushin and Odi-Olowo, and the people, through their goodwill, install leaders, not self-installed individuals.
“In 2021, Enilolobo, as part of his usual welcome home initiative, held a significant meeting with Hon.Bayo Osiyemi. This meeting also included Prince Wale Arogundade, Hon. Yinka Falade, and Alhaji Akeem Kushimo. Despite the Chairman’s instructions from that meeting, Hon. Osiyemi has yet to comply with them.”
Alani called the attention of authentic members to the statement by Abdullahi Ayinde Enilolobo, TMM’s Lagos State Chairman, who said on his birthday that in a gathering of original members, there is a risk of counterfeit ones. He emphasized that the group is open to anyone willing to join, but they will not tolerate anyone who gathers people to impersonate the group and assign themselves titles.
“The apex leader of TMM in Mushin and Odi-Olowo remains Alhaja Tawakalitu Olusola Oyedele (Iya Luku), while Prince Adewale Arogundade and Hon. Olayinka Falade are both integral members of the Central Working Committee (CWC) at the state level,” Alani clarified.
He concluded by urging TMM members to remain vigilant and not be swayed by misinformation, reiterating the group’s commitment to its authentic leadership led by Abdullahi Ayinde Enilolobo within the APC framework.
