… As APC reconciles primary fallouts, APM poses a fresh challenge, and grassroots development takes centre stage ahead of 2027
Written By Rashidat O. Okunlade | Lagos
The political landscape of Agege, one of Lagos State’s most densely populated and politically active federal constituencies, is currently undergoing a seismic shift.
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the two state constituencies, Agege Constituency 01 and 02 are at a crossroads. The dominant All Progressives Congress (APC) is grappling with the fallout of a controversial primary election, a formidable opposition is rising from within its own ranks, and the electorate is increasingly focused on tangible grassroots development rather than just party rhetoric.
So, what next for Agege?
Constituency 01: The Speaker’s Seat and the ‘Agbelebu’ Agenda
Agege Constituency 01 is historically significant, represented by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who was recently re-elected as Speaker for a third term. However, the political dynamics for the 2027 legislative seat have taken a dramatic turn.
The APC’s candidate for the constituency is Oluwagbenga Abiola, popularly known as Agbelebu. Abiola is not resting on the party’s traditional dominance. He has launched a highly localized campaign focused on inclusive governance. Recently, he pledged to introduce welfare and empowerment programmes for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable residents.
Furthermore, Abiola has proposed a novel initiative: installing Information and Feedback Boxes in the palaces of all Baales across the constituency. His argument is that traditional institutions are closest to the people, and utilizing their palaces as community contact points will ensure that representation is continuous and that no resident is left unheard.
The APM Threat:
However, Abiola faces a significant hurdle. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, a former Chairman of Agege Local Government and a political ally of Speaker Obasa, defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) after alleging that the APC’s primary results were manipulated. Egunjobi insists he won the primary with 9,132 votes but was replaced on the final candidate list. This split within the APC’s traditional stronghold could make Constituency 01 a battleground to watch.
Constituency 02: Incumbency, Defections, and the ‘Royal Blue’ Factor
Agege Constituency 02 is currently represented by Hon. Jubreel Abdulkareem Ayodeji. He has been actively campaigning for a return, citing a robust record of empowerment. His achievements include the distribution of over 5,000 free JAMB forms, the enrollment of 1,000 residents into the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme, and various infrastructural interventions like solar street lights.
However, the APC’s ticket for 2027 was awarded to Hon. Shakiru Akindele Enimakure, a candidate heavily backed by the party establishment and local traditional institutions.
The APM Challenge:
Just like in Constituency 01, the APC faces a major internal crisis here. Azeez Oladapo Yusuf (Ninolowo), who claimed superior of the APC primary, also defected to the APM after the party announced Enimakure as the winner. Ninolowo and his APM candidacy is testing the APC’s grip on the constituency.
The Grassroots Reality: What Do Residents Actually Need?
While the political gladiators battle for tickets and party supremacy, the fundamental question remains: what next for the people of Agege?
The answer lies in the ongoing developmental efforts by the local council. The Chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Akinola Idowu, recently highlighted that his administration inherited 21 ongoing infrastructure projects and has prioritized their completion to avoid wasting public funds.
His scorecard includes road rehabilitation, drainage construction to combat flooding, the building of a primary healthcare centre, and massive youth empowerment schemes including a free Skills Boot Camp in drone piloting, coding, and AI animation, with outstanding participants offered further training in China.
Why It Matters
The 2027 elections in Agege will not just be a referendum on the APC’s internal democracy; they will be a test of whether grassroots development can override political grievances.
The Fragility of Party Dominance: The defections of Egunjobi and Ninolowo to the APM signal that the APC’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms are being severely tested.
The Shift to Issue-Based Politics: Candidates like Abiola (Agbelebu) are pivoting towards traditional institutions and direct feedback mechanisms. This suggests a realization that voters are tired of top-down politics and want representatives who are physically and structurally accessible.
The Role of Local Government: The aggressive developmental strides by the Orile-Agege LCDA chairman show that governance is not just about the State House of Assembly. As the 2027 elections approach, state lawmakers will need to clearly articulate how they will complement the LCDA’s efforts, particularly in securing funding for education, healthcare, and infrastructure at the state level.
The Verdict:
For the people of Agege Constituencies 01 and 02, the next political chapter will be defined by a simple equation: Deliverables vs. Loyalty. The APC candidates are set to convince voters that they can deliver the dividends of democracy despite the internal party turmoil.
The APM candidates must prove that their defection was about the people, not just personal ambition. And the residents must hold all of them accountable, ensuring that the ‘Agege dream’ is not lost in the political crossfire.
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