A grandchild of the late Chief Oshodi named Abisoye made a politically motivated broadcast on the social media recently. He made unfounded allegation about me and three others who, he claimed ‘sold’ Lagos to Senator Bola Tinubu.
I deny all allegations made about me on the telecast by Abisoye Oshodi.
The alleged meeting at the residence of Alhaji Folawiyo was a figment of Abisoye Oshodi’s imagination.
I was a young friend of Alhaji Iyanda Folawiyo, a resident of Olowogbowo area in Lagos. He showed no interest whatsoever in politics in his life time.
An astute business man, I was his lawyer before my appointment as the Federal Commissioner in 1967. I was also his “best man” at one of his weddings. Politics to Mr Iyanda Folawiyo was odious. Oshodi’s story of swearing with Quran at Folawiyo’s house is a party political stunt. It never happened.
Bola Tinubu was presented to the Lagos public by *Alliance for Democracy* in 1998/1999 as its gubernatorial candidate by some friends of mine, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu and others.
He was elected the governor in 1999 on the platform of Alliance for Democracy. A few years later, quarrel broke out within the Alliance for Democracy leadership and a new party, *Action Congress,* was inaugurated.
I was personally involved in party politics in Nigeria in all my life only between 1978 and December 1983 when the army again took over power.
Since the return to politics in 1999, I have remained above party politics. I am neither for nor against PDP or APC.
At elections, I vote for a candidate of my choice.
Apart from General Gowon and one other retired public officer, I am the only other founder of Lagos State still alive. I feel proud about this. I am for ever grateful to God for giving me that opportunity, and to remain the defender of *Lagos State land,* and a defender of the rights of the people of Lagos.
I welcomed the selection of Mr Tunde Fashola as the Governor of Lagos State in 2007. I personally intervened in 2010 when he was initially refused a second term by the party leader. That I can publicly admit now because Tunde Fashola is a ‘son of the soil.’
My portfolio as Federal Commissioner included *federal state land.* I protected Lagos State land while in office (1967 – 1974) which included Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Tafawa Balewa Square, Festac Town, and later Banana Island, Osborne Road Estate and the new Eko Atlantic City.
I am yet to see details of the lease between Lagos State Government and ‘the developer of Atlantic City’ though it should be in the public domain.
Senator Bola Tinubu was in his teens in 1967 – 1974, in elementary school when I was in public office.
When General Babangida issued his infamous Land (Title vesting Etc) Decree No. 52 in 1993 *converting all land reclaimed from the sea and the lagoon to federal land,* I challenged the legality of Decree No.52 of 1993 at the Federal High Court, and I restored title of Lagos State to Victoria Island, Ikoyi (including Osborne Road Estate), Banana Island and Eko Atlantic City, and of all other lands on both sides of Lekki – Epe Expressway, reclaimed from the sea and the Lagoon.
In defence of *Lagos State land* since 1967, I am very proud that Allah gave me the opportunity to do so.
I do not approve of political dynasty. I do not, and never will in Lagos State or elsewhere.
Nor do I approve of character or political assassination – which is spreading now in Lagos State, peddled by the likes of Abisoye Oshodi.
I detest the current trend of party politics interfering with the institution of *obaship* in Lagos State. My wife’s branch of the Oshodi Chieftaincy family is a victim of this virus.
So is the stool of Oloto of Oto. The royal and Chieftaincy families must be freed from political interference in their choice of candidate.
Long live Lagos State
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Alhaji Lateef Olufemi Okunnu, SAN., CON.
