Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Agege and Orile-Agege have roundly debunked and dismissed allegations that chairmanship and councillorship candidates were imposed on the party at the local government primary elections held last Saturday, May 10, at the party secretariat on Acme Road, Ikeja.
Substantive candidates for all 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) emerged through delegate voting and consensus for the July 12 LG elections.
However, typical of such elections, there is a groundswell of dissent and discontentment in some areas, including Agege and Orile-Agege, where Alhaji Tunde Azeez and Idowu Akinola emerged as chairmanship candidates, leading to claims of candidates’ imposition.
Rising from a meeting at the Agege Local Government Secretariat on Tuesday, the APC leadership in both councils issued a communiqué dismissing the imposition claims and affirming the candidates’ legitimacy.
The communiqué was signed by key party figures, including the member representing Agege 02 Constituency in the House of Assembly, Alhaji Jubril Kareem; House of Representatives member, Hon. Dr. Wale Ahmed; Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Hon. Afolabi Tajudeen; Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Hon. Afolabi Ayantayo; APC apex leader, Alhaji Safari Adaranijo; and the first executive chairman of Agege LG, Alhaji Genius Owolabi Dada.
Others are: executive chairman, Agege LG, High Chief Ganiu Kola Egunjobi; executive chairman, Orile-Agege LCDA, Hon Sunday Johnson Babatunde; Ex-Chairman, LAHASCOM, Hon. Richard Akin Osungboye; former party chairman, Alhaji Ayoni Shittu; APC Agege LG Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Azeez; APC Orile-Agege LG Chairman, Hon. Salau Olaniyi; former council chairman and former Member House of Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Adeshina; party leader, Elder Sunday Ajide; and former House of Assembly member, Hon. Ashimiu Adebayo.
In the communiqué, the leaders said, “As far as we are concerned, the primary elections were free and fair; and suggestions by some elements that the candidates that emerged were imposed on them are misleading. Those making these false claims are sore losers, and (had) for years, ostracised themselves from the APC and our communities.”
The communiqué read further, “To put it in context, the likes of MD of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa; ex-House of Representatives member, Dr Samuel Adejare; and three-time House of Assembly member, Oluyinka Ogundimu, have moved out of Agege for years in terms of residence and are not involved in the activities of the party in both councils.
“In the same boat is Biodun Ogunji, a chairmanship aspirant in Agege who lives in the UK with his family but came down to Nigeria weeks back for his aspiration. Same thing with his fellow failed aspirant, Bukola Sofidiya, aka Gidado, a US-based Agege politician, and Sola Osolana, who is based in the UK and was the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Agege in the last council election in the state.
“It is a general knowledge that the leadership of the party in the state, in their wisdom, adopted consensus or delegate voting for the primaries with party local government excos as the voters.”
The leaders declared further, “In Agege and Orile-Agege, exco members were constituted about four years ago when the aforementioned persons distanced themselves from the party in both council areas and its activities, as well as stayed away from our dear communities. In that context, it is only people with limited education and obscurity of positions that would consider themselves as contenders and not pretenders in the just concluded primaries.
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As political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the next electoral cycle, stakeholders and residents of Bariga/Shomolu Federal Constituency are increasingly confronted with a critical question: who possesses the competence, structure, and track record to effectively represent the constituency at the House of Representatives?
Among the names being considered, Alabi Kolade David, popularly known as Kola Alabi, has emerged as a strong and compelling option, with many political observers arguing that his experience and performance in public office make him a natural fit for the role.
Kola Alabi’s political journey is deeply rooted in Bariga. Having served as Vice-Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) between 2009 and 2015, and later as Executive Secretary, he rose to become the Executive Chairman in 2017, a position he has held for two terms. This steady progression through the ranks reflects not only continuity but also sustained trust from the people he serves.
During his time as chairman, Bariga has witnessed notable transformation across key sectors. His administration has prioritized grassroots development, delivering infrastructural projects that have improved mobility and overall living conditions within the LCDA. Roads, drainage systems, and community facilities have seen measurable upgrades, contributing to a more functional and accessible environment for residents.
In the area of healthcare, his government initiated the expansion of primary healthcare services, ensuring that all wards within Bariga have access to functional health centres. This effort has significantly improved access to basic medical care, particularly for low-income residents.
Education has also received considerable attention under his leadership. Through school renovations, construction of new learning facilities, and support for educational initiatives, his administration has contributed to improving the standard of public education within the community.
Beyond infrastructure and social services, Kola Alabi has consistently emphasized human capital development. Youth empowerment programmes, support for small businesses, and inclusive initiatives targeting women have formed a core part of his governance strategy, helping to stimulate economic participation at the grassroots level.
His influence extends beyond Bariga. As former National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), he played a significant role in advocating for local government autonomy and strengthening governance frameworks across the country. This experience has given him exposure to national policy discussions and intergovernmental relations, positioning him as a leader with both local relevance and broader political insight.
His performance in office has earned him several recognitions, including awards for grassroots governance and public service excellence. These honours, while symbolic, reflect a pattern of leadership that has been acknowledged beyond his immediate constituency.
Observers also point to his leadership style, often described as inclusive and people-oriented. His ability to maintain strong connections with community stakeholders, traditional institutions, and political structures has been cited as one of his key strengths.
With the responsibilities of a member of the House of Representatives requiring a blend of legislative understanding, grassroots connection, and the capacity to attract development, many believe that Kola Alabi’s profile aligns closely with these demands.
As conversations continue and political alignments take shape, one sentiment appears to be gaining traction across Bariga and Shomolu: if experience, performance, and grassroots credibility are the deciding factors, then the cap, indeed, fits Kola Alabi David.
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