AKOD Hosts Lagos Baale Forum, League of Chief Imams as 3,000 Pray, Endorse Tinubu, Hamzat Ahead of 2027

Yomi Durojaye 

The Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), has applauded traditional rulers and religious leaders across Lagos State for their overwhelming endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.

AKOD made the remarks during the two-day Lagos Baale Forum and League of Chief Imams Special Prayers for Nigeria and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hosted by Ikeja Local Government. The event attracted over 3,000 participants, comprising traditional rulers, Baales, Chief Imams, political leaders and community stakeholders from the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across Lagos State.

The gathering featured special prayers for the peace, unity and continued progress of Nigeria, while participants unanimously endorsed President Tinubu for a second term and expressed their support for Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred candidate for the 2027 Lagos State governorship election.

Addressing the gathering, AKOD said that we appreciate our traditional rulers and faith-based leaders for their unwavering support for our government. Since 1999, our progressive family has remained committed to nation-building and the development of our people. As we prepare for another important democratic exercise, we seek your continued partnership and support."

The Chairman described the gathering as more than a political event, saying it was "a gathering of one family" united by a shared commitment to the continued progress of Lagos State and Nigeria.

According to him, the relationship between government, traditional institutions and religious leaders has always been built on love, trust and mutual respect.

"As we approach the 2027 general elections, we recognise the strategic role you play in your various communities. We are committed to working closely with you to ensure the successful re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the victory of all candidates of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), contesting for the Senate, House of Representatives and the Lagos State House of Assembly."

He disclosed that the event received the support of the Member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, who encouraged him to provide every necessary support for the programme.

The Chairman further revealed that the APC has established strategic committees in preparation for the forthcoming elections, including committees on youth mobilisation, security, social engagement, religious organisations and traditional institutions.

He noted that traditional rulers and religious leaders occupy a unique position in society because, unlike elected political office holders, they remain enduring custodians of their communities.

AKOD therefore urged them to continue partnering with government in promoting peace, unity, civic responsibility and grassroots mobilisation as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Onigando of Igando Land, Oba Lasisi Gbadebo Gbadamosi, commended Ikeja Local Government for hosting Baales from across Lagos State, describing the initiative as a demonstration of government's renewed commitment to strengthening traditional institutions.

"I appeal to all traditional rulers not to betray the confidence reposed in us. Let us mobilise our people to come out en masse in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the incoming Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, while ensuring that peace prevails in our communities. We do not want violence. Our kingdoms must remain peaceful before, during and after the elections."

Also speaking, the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Engr. Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, said the special prayer session formed part of the Islamic community's civic responsibility to seek divine guidance for Nigeria and encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process.

Dignitaries at the event included the Onigando of Igando Land, Oba Lasisi Gbadebo Gbadamosi; the Special Adviser on Islamic Matters to the Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Abdullahi Jebe; the member representing Agege Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jubreel Ayodeji Abdulkareem; the Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Engr. Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla; former Executive Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Comrade Engr. Dr. Valentine Buraimoh; the Deputy Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Richard Adedamola Kasumu; the Convener and Coordinator of the Lagos Baale Forum, Seyi Bamigbade; alongside other prominent traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, political leaders and community stakeholders. 

Ooni of Ife Sets To Honour Baale Amuwo Odofin | AgegePulse Magazine

 

His Imperial Majesty Alayeluwa Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ọ̀ọni Adeyẹ́yẹ̀ Ẹnitan Bàbátunde Ògúnwusi Ọjàjà II, Ooni of Ife, this weekend will be honouring the Baale of Amuwo Odofin, Aare, Itesiwaju Omo Oduduwa, High Chief Hakeem Rabiu at the a week long "Ileya Omo Oodua Festival".

On the 5th and 6th December, Baale Amuwo will be honour alongside prominent Traditional Rulers in the country which will be held at the Ooni Palace in Ile-Ife.

Citation of Baale of Amuwo Adofin, Lagos.

High Chief Hakeem Rabiu Abayomi is an highly placed man of integrity with humble character. A public-spirited, philanthropist, epitome of dynamic leadership and excellent personified. 

He was born into the family of Rabiu of Amuwo Odofin Lagos state (Awori Compound). He is an executive member of the Amuwo Odofin Indigenous Youth. Member of Unison Social Club of Nigeria. Member of Lagos State & Fashion Designers Association. 

He has bagged many recognition for excellence award such as; Achievers & Role model Award 2013. Special Merit Award by Maa-Sha Allah Arabic & Islamic; also recognized for Award of Excellence by Dairat Jafariyat Fitorikat Tijaniyat. Cultural Ambassador award by Omo Yoruba Atata in Ghana 2013. Evergreen Award by TOC COMMUNICATIONS 2018. Life time Father of Culture by Alagbawii Yoruba Magasinni Fans Club, 2016 to mention few.

He is a founder of ITESIWAJU OMO ODUDUWA Progressive Forum, a pan Yoruba group to promote the culture and heritage of Yoruba nation. 

He is also the founder of ITESIWAJU Cooperative Trade and Credit Society, a body that gives out loans and empower with NO interest. 

He is currently the Baale of Amuwo Odofin Kingdom in Lagos.

SPEECH DELIVERED AT INAUGURATION OF IBILE PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLY, AGEGE CHAPTER.

SPEECH DELIVERED AT INAUGURATION OF IBILE PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLY, AGEGE CHAPTER.

Delivered by: Hajia Fatimah Mohammed on Friday 30^th, December, 2016

It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction, to welcome you all to this historic inauguration of Agege Chapter of Ibile peaceful revolution Assembly.

 ”This inauguration is historic and symbolic because the enemies of Ibile peaceful assembly did not want this day to come to be. That is why, you will look round today and not see Saheed Mosadoluwa (Mr. Ibile) on seat.” Our distracters have cooked some fake stories to keep him behind the bars, but be rest assured that no matter how long lies and deceit travels, truth will always catch up with it.

I will use this opportunity to salute the courage and commitment of all Ibile members in this trying period and most particularly the doggedness of the Agege Chapter to go ahead with today’s inauguration, despite all the intimidations.

The Nigerian state is at a very critical junction in its history. The state of the nation can only be described as perilous.

 Officially the Nigerian economy is in a recession for the first time in 25 years. Yet the federal government is as helpless as a blind rat in a brain. “The objective of Ibile peaceful revolution is to bring about a re-arrangement of the table and re-distribution of the common resources so that it gets to the common people on the street.

 Ibile peaceful Assembly is a non-partisan body that is only interested in ensuring that round pegs are put in round holes.

We shall provide support for our members (whom we know to be of good character and have the capacity to deliver good life to the generality of the people) in any political camp they find themselves whenever they vie for political office.

Ibile also believes in empowerment, because it is better to teach someone how to fish than to be giving the person fish. We have various empowerment programs for both the young and the old.

 Ibile also has a prison outreach programme; we discovered that there are many innocent youngmen rotting away in many of our prisons, not for committing any crime, but for not been able to employ the services of a lawyer.

“We intervene in such matters and provide legal assistance to such persons, and ensure that their cases get the desired attention and resolution.

The Ibile family is a very big family and I can assure you that it is growing day by day. There are many L.G chapters waiting to be inaugurated and also many states wings that are ready to take-off.

The simple is truth is “if we struggle we may win, but if we don’t we have lost” and “Dare to struggle is Dare to Win”.

Excerpt from Baale Gbogunleri Isale Oja, Agege, Alhaji Rasheed Rufai Kuku during the inauguration, I quote " Saheed Mosadoluwa Mr. Ibile was born and bred in Isale Oja, and he remains the Pride of Isale Oja" Agege as a whole. It is not easy to pioneer a large number of people like this without facing huddles, and challenges, and seeing light after the tunnel is the most possible result.  

So, we are confident of what happened and he will come out victoriously.

Leaders in the world have also faced this, It is not new to us and forces behind this will never succeed he prayed.

Why We Spearhead Inauguration of VPS - Baale Gbogunleri Isale-Oja, Alh. Rasheed Kuku

The inauguration of Voluntary Policing Sector (VPS) -

It is imperative for us to consider the best way to protect ourselves. The then DPO of Iso-Ikoko police station, Monday Agbonika brought the initiative which was later embraced by Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode. However, as God would have it; Agbogunleri Isale Oja community embraced the initiative because it came in the way that we have always wanted to protect ourselves.

The policemen cannot afford to protect all of us at the same time. We felt it is time for the neighbourhood to help ourselves in ensuring safety of lives and properties. It is obvious that before you even get to the police station during distress, it might be difficult but if the neighbourhood is composed and secured, evil perpetrators will be scared off. This is the reason why we inaugurated the Voluntary Policing Sector (VPS) to serve as our community's watchdog.