By Sam Popoola
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Aspirant to the Chairmanship post in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Council, Sherif Adewale Musa, a. k. a. Sam 20, has pledged to run a partnership system of government if voted into power.

Sherif, who made the pledge on Thursday in Ota during a breakfast meeting organised by Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Citizens Engagement Platform, also promised to make budget of the council open to the public.

He said it is regrettable that the council has not been able to explore its potentialities, saying, "it is very unfortunate that we sit on goldmine and yet live in poverty because we fail to tap on the opportunity by using our brains". 

Sherif, a banker turned politician said he is going into the local government from private sector to make a change, adding that this could not be done by his singular effort but through collaborative efforts of all and sundry in the council area. 

"I need my head not money. Your head and determination only are catalyst that can earn you success in any endeavour. This is what will guide me when I am voted into power", he said. 

He stressed, "I will organise forum to meet people with brilliant ideas that can help us achieve our aims and objectives. This is how to run open government policy" .

Earlier, leading the group in the meeting, Shola Afariogun, in an introductory address, told the APC Aspirant that the group is implenting the modern resolve of civil societies to bring people close to the governance by forming a synergy amongst the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary.

Afariogun further stressed that a situation where people do not know who serve them does not disclose true service.

He said the civil societies of modern days operate Appreciatiative Engagement where government can be praised for job well done and be asked to do what it is yet to do.

"We need to know our new council Chairman, understand and know how he intends to serve us. This is what we call OGP, meaning Open Government Partnership enshrined in Transparency, Accountability, Innovation & Citizens Engagement".

Participants who spoke one after the another, emphasized on the need for the Aspirant to curb excesses of so-called Omo-Onile who cause series of conflicts between them and landlords, saying their case is like someone who wants to eat his cake and have it.

The issue of the plight of school children who scramble for seats in the classrooms due to overbloated population  also caught attention of the group which wants the Aspirant to address when come to power.

Besides, the group advised the Aspirant to be Media friendly and shun any advice to shut his door against journalists who have the power to make or mar any administration.

The participants also advised the council to make impact on primary school education, revive sporting activities in schools as well as fixing roads that fall within the power of the council because good roads usually lead to rapid development.