Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, has thrown his weight behind a novel fitness cum political awareness programme called the Run-for-Asiwaju 2027 mini-marathon aimed at mobilising constituents, rallying the youth, and galvanising grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The mini-marathon, expected to feature 1,000 participants, takes place on Sunday, January 25, at 8:00 a.m. It commences at the Agege LGA secretariat as the runners weave through bustling and boisterous neighbourhoods to end at the Orile Agege LCDA. 200 winners will win N10, 000 each while seven professional athletes will win N50, 000 each.

During the unveiling event held on Wednesday, January 22, at the Agege LGA secretariat, Speaker Obasa stated that the Run-for-Asiwaju mini-marathon is another veritable platform for engaging, encouraging, and galvanising constituents ahead of 2027. The idea, he said further, serves as a metaphor because winning a marathon demands discipline, resilience, and dedication to reach the finish line, qualities required to get the president a second term.

According to the longest-serving speaker in the 47-year history of the Lagos State House of Assembly, “This mini-marathon is not just a sporting activity; the idea is for us to run together to celebrate President Tinubu’s transformative achievements in economic reforms, infrastructure, internal security, and national unity, while mobilising millions of Nigerians to renew his mandate.”

He added, “With this mini marathon, we are demonstrating that Asiwaju’s leadership is a race worth running and winning for the continued progress and prosperity of our great country.”

The Speaker also harped on the need for members to participate in the ongoing membership e-registration exercise, which ends in 10days time, saying, “For our people, we have made the process easier with the provision of high-end, 5G-enabled tablets and LaserJet printers to aid the registration process across the state. So, there is no excuse for anyone who claims to be a progressive member of the APC not to register.”

He also reiterated the need for a more robust relationship between elected officials and critical stakeholders in and around the local government while advocating a monthly or, at least, quarterly engagement between them.