Capital’s local politics set for Nigerian sub-plot as Fianna Fáil ups the ante...Exclusive by Chinedu Onyejelem
THREE prominent Nigerian men are to fight it out as election candidates in north-west Dublin’s Mulhuddart constituency.
The situation follows Fianna Fáil’s selection of a Nigerian who will pit his wits against two others standing as Fine Gael and independent.
The news comes after an exclusive report in Metro Éireann last week which revealed that Ireland’s largest political party was trailing behind rivals in nominating immigrants for June’s local elections.
A party spokesperson told Metro Éireann that Idowu Sulyman Olafimihan was selected “on the basis that he’s the best candidate for the job”. He joins two other Nigerians – Fine Gael’s Adeola Ogunsina and independent Ignatius Okafar – in battling for election in the five-seat Mulhuddart ward.
Olafimihan was born in Ondo State in south-east Nigeria and holds a national diploma in marketing from Lagos State Polytechnic. He came to Ireland in 1999 and has been a resident of the Mulhuddart area for almost nine years.
Speaking shortly after his selection, he told Metro Éireann he was absolutely delighted to have the opportunity. “I am very proud to be identified with a party of hope, tradition and vision such as Fianna Fáil, and I believe together we can progress and continue to leave a strong legacy for a future generation.”
He said some of his priorities as a local councillor would include pursuing the provision of affordable social housing for all, and “to seek genuine integration of the various nationalities in our diverse and fast-growing community”.
Olafimihan, who runs a private retail security firm in Dublin, added that he would work with the local people to make sure that there is an improvement in the security of “person and property in our community”.
The Nigerian joins two countrymen whose campaigns have been ongoing for months.
Commenting on Olafim-ihan’s nomination by Fianna Fáil, Adeola Ogunsina, a Fine Gael candidate in the area, told Metro Éireann: “They have chosen him just to tap into the immigrant sentiments, especially when they are running three other Irish candidates with him and can realistically only get one in.
“In my opinion, it is not in the best interests of the ethnic community. United we stand, and we have a chance to win a seat so let’s put in our best.”
Ignatius Okafor, a Nigerian independent candidate in the same constituency, said he was not concerned about what the parties are doing. Okafor said his immediate priority is to stay focused on his own campaign as an independent candidate.
Meanwhile, a number of immigrants in the Mulhuddart area who spoke to Metro Éireann on condition of anonymity claimed that Fianna Fáil’s decision was a desperate move to save face, following last week’s report in Metro Éireann about its lacklustre results in thus far fielding immigrant candidates.
Another sub-plot is the ethnic issue, given that independent candidate Okafor is Igbo, while Olafimihan of Fianna Fáil and gunsina of Fine Gael are Yoruba.
Asked if Fianna Fáil was playing the ethnic card, Olafimihan did not answer but referred us to his party’s statement that it had selected him on his credentials.
