As political activities gather momentum in Saki West LGA, the emergence of Hon. Lateef Sarafadeen Abiola, popularly known as Onijo, as a leading chairmanship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has rekindled memories of none such popularity, antecedents in community service, political mobilisation and grassroots engagements.
Long before his latest political outing, Onijo had, according to accounts from associates and community stakeholders, established a reputation for supporting initiatives targeted at improving the welfare and development of residents across Saki and the wider Oke-Ogun axis.
One of the notable moments associated with his activities during the implementation of the Omituntun 2.0 agenda was his support for Gov. Seyi Makinde’s administration. Onijo reportedly branded a vehicle for Engineer Seyi Makinde as part of his personal contribution towards promoting the administration’s development agenda.
He also single-handedly organised a one-day seminar for Seriki Hausas across the 10 LGAs of Oke-Ogun, an initiative aimed at fostering greater understanding, inclusion and cooperation towards the actualisation of the Omituntun 2.0 agenda.
At the grassroots, his interventions have extended beyond political mobilisation. Abiola Onijo singlehandedly constructed and bridge culvert along Salami Koomi Street, Saki, and later completed another two culvert at Abeo Alakoye Street, Daarusalam area, Saki, addressing drainage and accessibility concerns in the affected communities.
His community interventions also included the installation of a streetlight at Abeo Alakoye street in Saki, while his participation in political activities has seen him donated food items at PDP general meetings on several occassions, further underscoring his longstanding engagement with grassroots stakeholders.
Abiola Onijo is a man of unbeatable street credibility He is a member of the AFRICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, a member of NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, a member of NICArb. and also an AMBASSADOR of PEACE as a DISTINNGUISHED FELLOW OF IGPCM.
The latest chapter in Abiola’s political journey has generated considerable interest among his supporters and well-wishers, particularly following his emergence as a political flagbearer. Many of his supporters are now awaiting the formal declaration, which they expect to provide an opportunity for a wider celebration of his political emergence.
In a further demonstration of his engagement with traditional institutions, Onijo recently paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Imam of Saki, The Markaz institute, the Okere-in-Council, where he interacted with stakeholders and electorates, and also to vote APM in the forth coming election Onijo also visited Hon. Sule Kooko, BABA Ara, Shaikh Rasak Orator. Sheikh Fasasi and others
His emergence has also attracted congratulatory visits from political associates. The APM chairmen in Saki visited him at his law office in Saki, while the PMS executive, led by Alhaji Hammed Oosa Saki, also paid a congratulatory visit ahead of the anticipated official declaration.
For his supporters, the story of Lateef Sarafadeen Abiola is therefore not beginning with the current political contest. Rather, they see his latest political aspiration as another phase in a trajectory they describe as one marked by grassroots engagement, community interventions, political participation and a sustained relationship with stakeholders.
As Saki West awaits the formal unveiling of his candidacy, attention is increasingly shifting to whether the goodwill surrounding his emergence can translate into a formidable political structure ahead of the local government election.
For Abiola, the coming days could consequently represent more than a political declaration; they could mark the transition from years of community-oriented engagement to a more direct quest for leadership at the local government level.